Councilwoman Aims To Clear Air Over Apartment Building Smoking Policies In Philadelphia
By Mike Dunn
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Apartment landlords in Philadelphia could soon be required to spell out their buildings' smoking policies in writing to all new tenants.
Eighth district councilwoman Cindy Bass says non-smokers have no trouble knowing when they're in a smoker's house.
"Non-smokers, especially those who suffer with different chronic diseases like asthma, know right away," she says. "They know right away."
But she says renters may not know their building has smokers until after they sign a lease and move in. So Bass has introduced a measure that would require landlords in Philadelphia to disclose the building's smoking policies when a new lease is signed, or a renewal.
"What we are trying to do is say, 'just inform your prospective tenants about what those conditions are in the building.' If we're able to just let people know up front," Bass says, "it could really save everybody a lot time and trouble."
The measure says the smoking policy disclosure must include whether smoking is allowed at all, or whether it is allowed in only certain parts of the property. If smoking is permitted in specific apartments, the disclosure would have to list those units.
Bass' measure, which includes nominal penalties for non-compliance, will be debated in committee.