Residents of apartment complex barred from smoking in their homes

[Jazzy]

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Jeff Ramsey, a 26-year resident of Parkway Meadows apartments in Ann Arbor, couldn't believe it when he first saw signs posted around the complex saying it will become a "smoke free community" -- inside and out -- starting April 1.

The notices tell residents if they want to smoke, they have to walk at least 25 feet away from their apartment, CBS Detroit reported Wednesday. The notices include a number to call to get help quitting smoking.

"According to the newsletter, if we are caught smoking in our apartments, smokers will be issued a lease violation," Ramsey, 50, said in a letter. "So I could be facing eviction for something in which I have been doing in my apartment for the preceding 26 plus years without an issue."

Ramsey added that he's disabled and could not walk 25 feet from his apartment.

"Please believe me, I do realize the easy answer here is ... quit smoking. But the problem here is, I'm tired of being told how I can and/or cannot live my life by the government and/or corporate America, provided that what I'm doing is legal and tobacco usage is legal," he wrote.

Can smokers be banned from lighting up inside their own apartments? WWJ legal analyst Charlie Langton said smokers have no legal protections.

"An apartment complex can snuff out smoking," Langton said.

But Ramsey still thinks it's discriminatory. "Parkway Meadows is forcing low-income individuals to make a decision -- quit smoking or be homeless, because the management staff knows everybody's monthly incomes and they know that the vast majority of the residents, including, me, can't afford to be evicted."

Michigan's smoke-free air law, enacted in 2010, prevents smoking in work areas and food-preparation areas, bars and restaurants. Smoking is also banned on patios and rooftops attached to the bar or restaurant. Cigar bars, specialty tobacco stores and casino floors are exempt.

Homes and apartments are not part of the legislation. "The law is silent on distance requirements," the Michigan Department of Community Health says on its website.

Source

Do you think it's discriminatory to ban people from smoking inside their own apartment? Why / Why not?

 

[Sinon]

If you're low-income, I'd question why you're wasting money on smokes in the first place, tbh

 

[WHO IS SERAFIN]

I was in the apartment business for twenty years in charge of the maintenance departments for several different apartment complexes before I started my own business. And let me tell you they have something called fair housing laws that are insanely strict and requires fresher courses every year for all of the staffs. I mean just saying something with one wrong word can land a employee a 50,000 thousand dollar fine. Like if someone asked a maintenance person can you tell me where the least amount of kids live here in these apartments. BAM! Thats considered a racist question and a employee answering it could get a 50,000 dollar fine and there job is gone.

So I am going to guess and say they cleared this through the government before doing this. And I am going to guess that this complex uses the peoples money using taxes for section 8 housing to have very cheap rent. If thats so its very easy for the owners of these section 8 apartments to keep them filled up when you are using other peoples money and getting very cheap rent.

But I could never see a regular apartment complex doing this when they dont get tax payer money to keep the apartments filled up. When I was in the business you needed to keep a apartment complex filled between 92% and 94% to keep a profit. So if your credit is good and your past rent history is good they wont turn down a smoker. Fresh paint and a fogger for smell when the person leaves and its good to go for a new renter to take the apartment.

So if this person is living on the tax payers dime for his housing I have no problem with government telling them if they can smoke or not.

Now if this is a apartment complex run without government handouts I still think they should be allowed to tell people if they can smoke or not. Its there business and its there investment. Hell I think the fair housing laws are bull crap and the owners should be allowed to decide for any reason under the sun why they dont want someone in there home.