We are calling on a change of the current rules of No Smoking in Common Areas within 210 East Broadway (The Delmar) in Long Beach, NY.  The current rules of "containing odors" are not sufficient to protect the health and well-being of all residents.

We propose a total ban on smoking anywhere within this building including common areas and private residences. This ban is to includes cigarettes and tobacco-related products, Schedule 1 Drugs like marijuana, crystal meth, heroin and crack-cocaine as well as any and all hookahs, vaping devices and e-cigarettes.

According to the American Lung Association, secondhand smoke causes approximately 7,330 deaths from lung cancer and 33,950 deaths from heart disease each year. It is also known that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke (American Lung Association).   

Smoke is smoke. When you burn something, it releases dangerous chemicals and marijuana is no different.  

Secondhand marijuana smoke contains many of the same cancer-causing substances and toxic chemicals as secondhand tobacco smoke.  Some of the known carcinogens or toxins present in marijuana smoke include: acetaldehyde, ammonia, arsenic, benzene, cadmium, chromium, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, lead, mercury, and nickel.

Knowing the dangers of marijuana smoke is an important first step to helping protect yourself, your children and your pets from the harmful effects.  As with any other secondhand smoke, the toxic substances and carcinogens can also easily be inhaled by children and pets even when they aren’t smoking.

The toxic substances and carcinogens in marijuana secondhand smoke can easily be inhaled by children and pets who are present or frequent the areas where smoking takes place.

People and animals who are exposed to secondhand marijuana smoke can have detectable levels of THC in their systems. Recent studies have found strong associations between those who said there was someone in the home or a caretaker who used marijuana and the child or pets having detectable levels of THC (the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana).

Current scientific knowledge suggests that marijuana and tobacco secondhand smoke have similar makeup, and can have similar negative impacts on cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) health, leading to partially blocked arteries, stroke, heart attack, and even death.

In addition to the health risks posed by traditional tobacco products, there are growing concerns about the potential harms caused by electronic nicotine delivery systems such as e-cigarettes or vapes. The Surgeon General has concluded that e-cigarette aerosol is not harmless water vapor – it can contain harmful substances including nicotine (Surgeon General's Report on E-cigarette Use Among Youth).

By implementing a total smoking ban within our residential building we can significantly reduce these risks for our residents, children and pets while creating a healthier living environment for everyone.

Please sign this petition if you agree with this proposal for a safer Delmar community.