Smoking could be restricted in apartments

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California renters could see more apartment buildings designated non-smoking under a measure approved Monday by the state Senate.

Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) said his bill is needed because of confusion over the power landlords have on the smoking issue. Although there is no law that prohibits designating apartments as smoke-free, some landlords have told Padilla they would like explicit legal authority to adopt such restrictions, he said.

“While more than 86% of Californians do not smoke, there is very little smoke-free rental housing in California,’ Padilla said. ‘With this bill, we have an opportunity to expand the availability of smoke-free housing for families throughout our state.’

He argued that smoke drifting from one apartment to another could cause health problems.

SB 332 passed on a 33-2 bipartisan vote, with no one speaking in opposition during the Senate session. It now goes to the Assembly for consideration.

-- Patrick McGreevy