No smoking, no exception
July 3, 2015
IS it fair to force an end to smoking in public housing? We don’t expect people in private apartment buildings to quit in their own homes, though a municipality can do that, too.
Perhaps the question for residents of Thunder Bay Housing instead should be is it fair to expect non-smokers to put up with second-hand smoke?
Of course it isn’t, and that is why the city housing department has ordered that all new tenants must accept the fact they will not be allowed to smoke anywhere in these buildings.
The new restriction does not affect existing tenants. It follows wider provincial legislation that has slowly ramped up rules against public smoking. The City of Thunder Bay has opted to use its ability to strengthen them.
Smokers will oppose this latest restriction. Smokers always do, because smokers are unfortunately addicted to some degree to tobacco. But there are a host of public programs available to help those who say they can’t quit to do so.
Quite apart from the issue of people availing themselves of rent-geared-to-income housing while still spending considerably on the smoking habit, there is widespread acceptance that public authorities need to act in the interest of the majority, not protect the unreasonable expectation of a few. Second-hand smoke is, after all, the raw product not passed through a cigarette filter.
(The new policy also limits new social housing tenants to two pets and prohibits dogs and cats from common areas. This is common sense. Not everyone likes animals and no one should have to endure the presence of unleashed pets or their odours.)
A local advocacy group is concerned that the smoking policy will force some public housing tenants out of their homes once they agree to the conditions, then ignore them. PACE says that Thunder Bay Housing’s parent, the District Social Services Administration Board, should provide potential tenants with supports to kick the habit.
As if Thunder Bay Housing doesn’t have enough on its plate, managing 2,505 units across the district. Does PACE really expect DSSAB to provide separate smoking cessation programs that duplicate the many already available at no charge to anyone?
Smoking in public is no longer acceptable. Expecting special allowances for public institutions is especially unreasonable when even private enterprise must conform. Quitting smoking is hard, for everyone.
Read More About Canada Apartments.
