Addressing involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke in apartments
Addressing involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke in apartments
The issue
The ACT Government recognises that there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke. The ACT Government also recognises the design elements of multi-unit developments allow second hand smoke to spread between units or apartments via a number of pathways including, mechanical ventilation and air conditioning systems, elevator shafts, hallways, stairwells, balconies and courtyards. Studies have shown that people living in multi-unit or apartment complexes are likely to be involuntarily exposed to second-hand cigarette smoke while at home, even though only 1 in 10 Canberrans smoke.
Yet, the ACT does not have specific rules on smoking inside an apartment complex when it affects others. This puts the onus on affected neighbours to try to negotiate with smoking neighbours or the body corporate to prevent or reduce exposure to cigarette smoke - rather than putting the onus on neighbours who wish to smoke to make sure that their cigarette smoke does not spread to other apartments and harm others.
People should have personal liberties in their own home by not without limit, especially if it causes harm to others. The ACT regulations require pet owners living in apartments to take steps to make sure that their pet does not cause a nuisance or hazard to others, so why is smoking not regulated? Better protecting the health of people living in apartments by regulating smoke when it affects others is now URGENT, especially during COVID-19, a time when people are spending more time at home and housing is hard to come by.
Signing this petition will help show ACT Government Ministers that the ACT community expects action on this issue to better balance the rights of smokers and non-smokers living in apartments or multi-unit housing and ensure that people are not involuntarily exposed to cigarette smoke.
Our suggested action to the ACT Government is to enact a regulation that smokers must take reasonable steps to make sure their cigarette smoke does not penetrate common areas or other units or apartments.
***Please add a comment if you'd like to see the ACT Government go further and require people living in apartments to smoke in a designated smoking area or outside/on their balconies rather than inside.***
267
The issue
The ACT Government recognises that there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke. The ACT Government also recognises the design elements of multi-unit developments allow second hand smoke to spread between units or apartments via a number of pathways including, mechanical ventilation and air conditioning systems, elevator shafts, hallways, stairwells, balconies and courtyards. Studies have shown that people living in multi-unit or apartment complexes are likely to be involuntarily exposed to second-hand cigarette smoke while at home, even though only 1 in 10 Canberrans smoke.
Yet, the ACT does not have specific rules on smoking inside an apartment complex when it affects others. This puts the onus on affected neighbours to try to negotiate with smoking neighbours or the body corporate to prevent or reduce exposure to cigarette smoke - rather than putting the onus on neighbours who wish to smoke to make sure that their cigarette smoke does not spread to other apartments and harm others.
People should have personal liberties in their own home by not without limit, especially if it causes harm to others. The ACT regulations require pet owners living in apartments to take steps to make sure that their pet does not cause a nuisance or hazard to others, so why is smoking not regulated? Better protecting the health of people living in apartments by regulating smoke when it affects others is now URGENT, especially during COVID-19, a time when people are spending more time at home and housing is hard to come by.
Signing this petition will help show ACT Government Ministers that the ACT community expects action on this issue to better balance the rights of smokers and non-smokers living in apartments or multi-unit housing and ensure that people are not involuntarily exposed to cigarette smoke.
Our suggested action to the ACT Government is to enact a regulation that smokers must take reasonable steps to make sure their cigarette smoke does not penetrate common areas or other units or apartments.
***Please add a comment if you'd like to see the ACT Government go further and require people living in apartments to smoke in a designated smoking area or outside/on their balconies rather than inside.***
267
The Decision Makers
Petition created on 19 April 2021