No Smoking in Multi-Unit Residences
Smoking has been banned inside apartments and townhomes in most Alameda County cities since 2014. But the Board of Supervisors unanimously voted this past Tuesday to extend that ban to unincorporated areas such as Castro Valley, Ashland, Cherryland, and San Lorenzo.
The ordinance is expected to take effect on July 1 this year, at which point smoking will be prohibited inside multi-unit homes such as apartments and condominiums but also to senior and assisted living or long-term care facilities, hotels, and any other residence with two or more units.
Smoking will also not be allowed in common areas indoors and outdoors, or within 25 feet of any doorway, window, vent, or other openings into a residence. The cities Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, and Emeryville have already adopted ordinances prohibiting smoking in multi-unit residences.
The ordinance is the result of three years of discussion and community advocacy. In 2020, a La Familia survey of Eden Area residents in unincorporated Alameda County reported that 93% of respondents have smelled smoke or vape aerosols inside their unit or on the property.
“This Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing Ordinance will change the lives of those suffering from secondhand smoke now and will contribute to a healthier, more equitable, living standard for future generations to come,” said Jade Le, Program Manager with La Familia. “The Board of Supervisors are setting a precedent for safe, smoke-free living with such a comprehensive policy.”
The Supervisors say the ban aims to reduce the negative impacts of secondhand smoke while addressing health inequities among people of color, lower-income, and/or uninsured, which they say are far more likely to live in multi-unit housing compared to single-family homeowners.
“I represent some of the most at-risk residents of our County, with shorter life expectancies, poorer health outcomes, and higher rates of asthma and other respiratory challenges,” Supervisor Nate Miley said in a statement. “Today's action represents a collaboration between advocates, community members, health experts, and property owners and is one step closer to cleaner air in our homes.”
In addition to protecting against smoking-related diseases, the supervisors say smoking can increase the risks of respiratory infections and COVID-19 symptoms – especially as more individuals are forced to stay home due to the pandemic.
“Today’s passage of the multi-unit smoke-free ordinance sends a powerful message to our unincorporated community that their health and wellbeing are of the utmost importance to the County,” Supervisor Dave Brown said in a statement. “As we continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, I appreciate the work of our Public Health Department to help ensure the safety of our residents during this difficult time.”