THUNDER BAY -- Ontarians are now protected in public spaces from second-hand smoke but many remain unwillingly exposed in their own apartments and condominium units.
The Smoking and Health Action Foundation partnered with the Northwest Tobacco Control Area Network for smoke-free housing workshops Wednesday at the Victoria Inn.
Elaine Ratcliffe, an agent with Dawson Properties attended the workshops to learn about the benefits and issues surrounding smoke-free housing.
Smoke-free policies are legal, enforceable and non-discriminatory. These policies do not prohibit smokers from living in a smoke-free building or evict current tenants who smoke, but it does force tenants to quit smoking inside the building.
Ratcliffe says it's something they're looking into with their properties in the region.
“We’re the biggest landlord in Northwestern Ontario,” she said, adding they get a lot of complaints about second-hand smoke from their tenants.
“We wanted to look at implementing a program somewhere along the line in educating the tenants on what their rights are both if they’re a smoker or a non-smoker,” said Ratcliffe.
Northwest Tobacco Control Area Network coordinator Jennifer McFarlane said the workshop’s purpose was to educate landlords and property owners on the legalities of smoke-free policies.
She said that second-hand smoke can drift throughout buildings not only through open windows and patio doors but also through electrical outlets and telephone and cable lines.
