Condominium owners tell smokers: Take it outside (No Smoking in Residence)

The Minneapolis Star Tribune ^ | February 13, 2008 | Jim Buchta

[2ndDivisionVet]

Residents of a tony, high-rise condominium along the Mississippi River in Minneapolis are among the first to vote to make their building smoke-free, taking Minnesota's battle over smoking bans into private homes.

The rule, at La Rive Condominiums near St. Anthony Main, covers individual units, common areas, garages and private balconies. Current owners who want to smoke will be grandfathered in, but future buyers will have to abide by the rule.

Opponents say the ban is an intrusion into private property rights that could hurt resale prospects at a time when the market is already soft. Supporters counter that, not only do they have a right to breathe clean air, but nonsmoking potential buyers will see going smoke-free as a plus.

"Just as we have seen business [use bans], we're now seeing homeowners and landowners of apartment buildings and condominiums deciding that they don't want their property to have smoking on it either," said Doug Blanke, director of the Tobacco Law Center at the William Mitchell College of Law.

[2ndDivisionVet]

I don't smoke, but this is getting silly.

[Shelayne]

Welcome to our Nanny State. We have 10,000 plus lakes and a WHOLE bunch of loons.

[Gabz]

Nanny State PING...........

I wouldn’t want to live in such a place, but this is an owner’s decision NOT a government mandate, so I have to side with them......as long as they stick with the grandfather clause about those who are current owners and smokers.

[Old Professer]

“... not only do they have a right to breathe clean air,...”

Yep, hope they ain’t no forest fahrs ‘round thar parts...

[coconutt2000]

How about selling, “carbon credits” to residents, and making them pay for the privilege of lighting up in their own homes...

Oooh....

[Old Professer]

You want to rent a corner of my kitchen?

[2harddrive]

Is is LEGAL for them to tell pre-existing OWNERS what they can or cannot do in their condos? Does the warranty deed have such a restriction??? (I assume there is no ALLODIAL title or deed to these properties?)

[littlehouse36]

[You would be surprised to know that smoke can travel in air vents and ducts from condo to condo. Even if you do not smoke if your neighbor does, it can get into your unit.]

Twas the case in my previous condo. I lived happily for two years until Mr. Smoker moved in next door. I had masking tape over the phone jacks, etc. but it just kept finding its way in.

[Old Professer]

Condos typically have separate HVAC units, high-rise apartments have very little ventilation to start with.

It isn’t the odor that harms the individual, it is the odor that harms the odor-emitter.

[Eaker]

Do you own her n00bie?

If not then it is none of you business.

DU is the other direction.

[ladyjane]

They’re not telling current owners.

[chaos_5]

My old condo association (San Diego) passed a rule that you could not smoke outside. That is, not in the parking lot, not in the pool area, and not on the porch.

Nazi bi7ch3s!

[Gabz]

LOL!!!

The only smoking that goes on in my kitchen is on the stove!!!!!

[Gabz]

While her position is definitely idiotic, I’m trying to figure out your point...........

[BIGLOOK]

On the news yesterday, I heard that bars could allow patrons to smoke inside again......if the bar paid the state (or county) $20,000 for a license.
Go figure...