APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – In two weeks a nationwide ban on smoking in public housing will take effect two years after it was passed.
Hundreds of housing units already comply with the rule from coast to coast.
Residents living in Oneida Heights, a 10 story high Appleton apartment complex, will no longer be allowed to smoke within 25 feet of the building.
“I think the no smoking ban will offer a healthier, safer living for all our residents, and with the adverse health effects of second-hand smoke,” said Kari Godsill, Oneida Heights property manager.
Godsill tells FOX 11 in addition to better health, the ban will hopefully reduce the cost of maintenance, cleaning and redecorating.
“We’ve had had a lot of positive feedback that is looking forward to the smoking ban, you know that they aren’t exposed to it.”
FOX 11 was not allowed to enter the property and ask residents questions.
Godsill said although there was positive feedback from residents, some were concerned about not being able to smoke.
“In regard to that, we have offered a smoking area outside of the building, for those individuals who would like to utilize that.”
There are already several smoke free public housing in Appleton. Oneida Heights is among some of the last to ban smoking.
Godsill said the agency is waiting until the 30th for the rule to take effect because residents need a smooth transition.
“If a resident wanted help with quitting smoking or things like that, we were offering that in the meantime, so we just chose to go with the July 30th date.”
If someone is caught smoking, Godsill says the offense will be treated as a lease violation.
“We will offer a verbal warning on the first violation. The second violation, if it’s within 60 days of the first violation, we will give a written warning.”
And if there’s a third violation within 60 days of the second violation, Godsill said the tenant will be evicted
When the new rule was announced two years ago, 600 Public Housing agencies nationwide already had smoke-free policies in place.
