Special to the Sydenham Current
Imagine being excited to move into a new apartment and finally getting settled in only to realize that your new home has drifting second-hand smoke entering from neighbouring units.
What would you do?
How would you feel?
What if you had health challenges that became complicated from this type of exposure on a frequent basis?
Unfortunately, this type of living arrangement can occur as we often receive many inquiries from tenants’ being exposed to second-hand smoke and their pursuit of obtaining “reasonable enjoyment” of their rental property.
About one third of Ontarians living in multi-unit housing report regular exposure to second-hand smoke that originates in neighbouring units, and 80% of Ontarians would choose a smoke-free building if the choice existed, according to ‘Smoke Free Housing Ontario’.
However, despite gains in recent years in the availability of units that have no smoking policies, there is simply not enough to meet the demands of the 80%.
Second-hand smoke is a serious problem for many Ontario residents living in apartments and condominiums, especially those who suffer from chronic health conditions such as heart disease, asthma, allergies, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses.
Ontarians spend most of their time at home, and it is in this environment where exposure continues to be reported.
For many forced to breathe their neighbour’s smoke, one remedy is to move; however, moving is not always an option for people with disabilities, older adults or those with limited incomes.
If you find yourself or a loved one in a situation like this there are supports available to you.
Please visit ‘Smoke Free Housing Ontario’ (http://smokefreehousingon.ca) for tools to help you document your problem, understanding your legal rights and how to obtain formal supports to address your issue.
For more information about these tools or for assistance in understanding the laws regarding smoking in multi-unit dwellings please contact Chatham-Kent Public Health at 519-352-7270.
