Posted on 07/31/2018 3:00:59 PM PDT by Drango
Smokers can no longer light up in or near public housing facilities in the U.S. due to a new rule that went into effect July 31. The nationwide ban on smoking in public housing was implemented nearly two years after the rule was passed by the Obama administration in 2016.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) now prohibits the use of cigarettes, cigars and pipes in all public housing units and common areas, as well as any outdoor areas up to 25 feet from public housing and administrative office buildings. The ban does not apply to e-cigarettes, snuff and chewing tobacco, although there may be restrictions on those in some areas.
HUD says about 228,000 public housing units under more than 600 local agencies were already smoke-free, and the new rule wipes out smoking in more than 940,000 other units. The ban is expected to save government housing agencies $153 million a year in repairs and health care costs, including $16 million for costs tied to smoking-related fires, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated in 2014.
HUD said the new policy would reduce health hazards from secondhand smoke and encourage residents to quit smoking.
The ban on smoking products must be included in public housing tenants' leases, HUD says. Tenants will not be evicted for a single instance of smoking, but could face eviction after several smoking violations.
For those who want help to quit smoking, officials recommend calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) toll-free to talk to a trained coach, or go to www.smokefree.gov.
Oh, sure. And it’s also illegal to let anyone not on the rental agreement live there, illegal to abuse or neglect children,there, and illegal to do drugs there, but those laws are not enforced, either. Besides, the ACLU or SPLC will be filing lawsuits against the government in no time.
And have some adult beverage...too.
“I doubt many smokers in public housing will comply with the new rules.”
agreed. except something tells me that tamper-resistent smoke detectors will be installed in all units ...
“If you can afford to buy cigarettes, TAXPAYERS don’t need to subsidize your housing. DUH “
Excellent point! If you can burn money, stop using mine to do it!
However, if medical marijuana is legal in some states, they probably can’t kick people out for that. How difficult is it to get a doctor’s certification to have medical marijuana?
I give Carson credit for trying to clean up public housing, but it will take a miracle to get it even partially done. They’ll be marching (rioting) in the streets, demanding their “rights” to entitlements.
That sounds good to me...the 5 Vegas Gold part.
Dems da rulz on da 0bama plantation.
Lucky you to have never been exposed to the problems with "Public Housing" and drugs. Current, crack, weed, etc users have already disabled them by removing the batteries. Installing tamper-proof units will only result in more force being used with damage to the ceilings walls, whatever.
It’s 1750 here.....Gonna flame a ‘gar...here soon!!
I don’t smoke, but I have a few family members who do, some of whom are recovered alcoholics. I understand the rule, and I don’t disagree with it, but getting cigarettes away from recovered alcoholics and recovered drug users is going to be very difficult. It is a substitute, that, while harmful, does not produce the heartache of the effects of drug and alcohol abuse.
L.S.M.F.T.
You can easily quit smoking cold turkey and lose weight at the same time. You just have to want to. Truth.
“the rule was passed by the Obama administration”. What does this mean? Congress passes bills into laws. A President can issue an executive order. This is another example of the propaganda media trying to confuse its readers.
It’s also another example of an ruling proclaimed but not enforced by Obama.
Good luck enforcing that on the south and west sides of Chicago.
L
There are three or four public housing complexes in Chicago I invite you to personally visit to help enforce this.
What? Not your job?
Wussy.
L
Here’s a link to a lovely public housing area that will soon be smoke free!
https://www.propublica.org/article/hud-evict-residents-public-housing-cairo-southern-illinois
As you can see, it’s from Cairo, Ill, a truly sad little town.
And gambling is illegal here at Bushwood.
There is no such thing as recovered alcoholics and recovered drug users and btw, the tobacco is not a substitute, it was likely already a part of their addictions.
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