Homes and Cars Related News

City May Offer Incentive For Non-Smoking Housing

Report: December 11, 2006
Reported by: Steve Large

(CBS13) SACRAMENTO -- Another unhealthy ban on the horizon. In Sacramento, if you smoke, your choices about where you live could soon be limited. City leaders are trying to encourage landlords to designate some of their units as smoke-free.
 
Cigarette stores may still be ringing up sales from smokers, but Sacramento city leaders are trying to create a financial incentive for landlords to offer non-smoking-only units, in their buildings.
 
"Clearly second hand smoke is really dangerous it kills we think making room available for people who don't smoke is a positive thing," says Councilman Kevin McCarty.
 
A smoker lived in this apartment unit for 10 years before moving out. Once he did management had to replace the carpet, clean the electrical outlets and even the ceiling. After thousands of dollars worth or work, you can still smell the smoke.
 
"Financially it had taken its toll on us, and more and more, people who want to rent, want something that's smoke free," says landlord Christina Steele.
 
The city will now help landlords like Christina Steele pay for advertising units, if she agrees to make a quarter of all her apartments off-limits to smokers.
 
People buying cigarettes at one discount store say they think it's a good idea.
 
Steele says the more non-smokers she rents to, the better neighbors she tends to find.