20 West for non smokers only

[thelakelander]

Want to live here? Not if you smoke

Health concerns and financial perks lead a growing number of rental properties to ban those who light up

By David Bauerlein, The Times-Union

Like any apartment complex, the sales pitch for leasing at 20 West Adams Street in downtown Jacksonville touts floor plans and location.
     
The 16-unit building also distinguishes itself by something it won't have when renovations are complete and new residents arrive.

No smoking will be allowed in the building, even if renters want to light up in their own apartments.

That policy excludes some potential renters. About 21 percent of adult Americans
smoke, according to a report released this month by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But more landlords are opting for no-smoking policies, said Franklin McDaniel of Atkinson Realty Group, which is marketing the 20 West Adams Street building. He said in the five years since Florida snuffed out smoking in restaurants, he's seen steady growth in smoking bans at rental properties, particularly single-family homes, duplexes and fourplexes.

"It used to be that people didn't care one way or the other," he said. "But since you had smoking bans take place in the workplace, now it's moving to the residential."

full article: http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/111707/bus_218341366.shtml

[Lunican]

Do the Carling and 11E allow smoking inside?

[comncense]

I live at the Carling, other than the common areas, I don't think they have any restrictions in regards to smoking.

[midnightblackrx]

Since it has become so open discriminate against a particular section of people in this country, don't you think it's time to throw out legislation decriminalizing other descriminitory behavior?!?! 

Or let's expand and discriminate against overweight people from using elevators, forcing them to use stairs (since it is for their health afterall).  It just disgusts me to see them eat so much food...Could we have them take their food into another room designated for "chubbys"?!?!  Do you think we would get away with that? 

Just an idea. Tell me what's the difference? 

[Jason]

Their habits don't affect the health of others.

[Lunican]

Obesity is an attribute of someone's body, whereas smoking is a behavior. There is a big difference.

[Madelane]

I wish they had a no smoking policy at 11 E - people smoke in the hallways and in the stairwells and it stinks.  I caught someone smoking in my hallway the other day, just talking on the phone outside her apartment!  And sometimes they smoke in the elevator.  It makes our building smell like a cheap motel.

[jbm32206]

That's a matter of people being ignorant...and as a smoker, I try to be very aware of non-smokers and respectful of that. But then again, that's not usually the norm, is it? Sadly, I know it's not and it's a shame

[midnightblackrx]

Firstly, I understand the argument and respect people's opinions and I do not actually believe that overweight people should be discriminated against. It does seem that that the trend to discriminate against smokers is increasing. And I mean discrimination.  For instance: Give me class/cross section of Americans that engage in a legal activity that can be so conspicuously discriminated against. Telling someone what to do in their own home because they do not approve or do it themselves, infringes on the rights of people engaging in a perfectly legal activity and that is wrong. 

Secondly, I would argue that obesity is not simply an attribute of someones body and that it is the individual's behavior that causes obesity.  Working out works! Choosing not to do so is the choice of the individual.  If someone were so inclined to deny an application because of the choices you made to get to that state, surely that employer or building manager in this case would be met with a slew of lawsuits.  But for a smoker to be denied it's looked at as OK. 

Now, I'm going to enjoy a cigarette to (ahhh) calm my nerves.  As disgusting as that maybe

[thelakelander]

For instance: Give me class/cross section of Americans that engage in a legal activity that can be so conspicuously discriminated against.

Drinking and a local strip club's ability to run their business without the local municipality searching for ways to eliminate/regulate the industry.

Telling someone what to do in their own home because they do not approve or do it themselves, infringes on the rights of people engaging in a perfectly legal activity and that is wrong.

That is wrong.  However, legally if its an apartment then does it belong to the renter or the landlord?

Secondly, I would argue that obesity is not simply an attribute of someones body and that it is the individual's behavior that causes obesity.  Working out works! Choosing not to do so is the choice of the individual.  If someone were so inclined to deny an application because of the choices you made to get to that state, surely that employer or building manager in this case would be met with a slew of lawsuits.  But for a smoker to be denied it's looked at as OK.

I think the difference those for these laws would point out, is there's no such thing as second hand obesity that can endanger the life of a non-obese person operating in the same space.

Anyway, I understand how you feel.  I'm still pissed off that we're not allowed to have BBQ grills at my condo complex.  Although I still have found a way to smuggle in a grill (sorry, I love BBQ), if I would have known about that rule, I would not have moved there.

[Lunican]

It's not really discrimination because a smoker can rent a unit, they just aren't allowed to smoke inside a building they don't own. Also, in order to not be "discriminated" against at an establishment such as a restaurant, all you have to do is come back when you aren't actively smoking. That's a lot different than requesting a person come back when they aren't fat.

[walter]

here's a big difference, when you smoke near me (I have to breath to stay alive) so I have to breath this toxic shit into MY body because of your filty habit.  When I eat a 5 guys double cheese with bacon on it, not one bit of it gets into your body.  Forcing me to breath your filty toxic waste from your habit is like me forcing a wendy's triple down your throat, if you can't get that then you don't want to.