(HorizonPost.com) – What, if any, rights do smokers have to enjoy their vice in the privacy of their own apartment? That particular issue doesn’t appear to have come before any court — although cases about other smoking bans have universally said none. But, as the city of San Francisco, California, moves forward with a proposed bill, that question may end up on a judge’s docket.
The legislation, sponsored by Councilman Norman Yee, would allow the city to fine people who smoke tobacco, marijuana or use vape pens in buildings with three or more living units. Noting that the byproduct can easily spread between homes, and he said, “now that more of us work from home, it’s more important than ever because there is no way to contain it.”
I'm proud to help residents avoid being exposed to secondhand smoke in their own homes. Smoke easily moves between units and buildings. Now that more of us work from home, it's more important than ever because there is no way to contain it. https://t.co/DNlG9AqrqA
— Norman Yee (@NormanYeeSF) November 5, 2020
According to the CDC, the number of smokers in America continues to decline, and by 2018, it dropped to just 13.7% of the adult population. While the secondhand effects on people’s health from the other two have not been definitively proven, proponents of the bill point to the odors and irritants as sufficient reasons.
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