Smoking ban in Duluth low-income housing promotes health

DULUTH - Residents of Duluth high rise buildings will be living in smoke–free facilities by spring of next year.

Last month, the Duluth Housing and Rehabilitation Authority passed a smoking ban, effective May of 2010.

American Lung Association representatives say the ban is an attempt to prevent the dangerous effects of second–hand smoke.

Currently, residents at any of the six Duluth high rise, low-income housing buildings can smoke in their private apartments.

Soon, they will have to leave the building before lighting up.

And many non–smoking residents are pleased.

"I think it's a good idea, because second hand smoke and everything... It's not good for our health," said King Manor resident, Ann Abrahm.

"They have shared ventilation. They have shared systems. And we know from the Surgeon General's report in 2006 that there is no safe level exposure to second–hand smoke," said Pat McKone.

McKone is the director for mission programs for the American Lung Association in Minnesota.

Her office conducted a survey early this year of tenants in the region and found strong support for smoking bans.

"We also found that about 30 percent of the people that live in multi–unit housing suffer from chronic lung or chronic heart disease. Both of which are immediately impacted by exposure to second hand smoke," said McKone.

The Surgeon General says breathing even a little bit of second–hand smoke can be dangerous.

Second–hand smoke causes heart disease and lung cancer and is a known cause of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Separate "no smoking" sections do not protect you from second–hand smoke, according to the Surgeon General.

Neither does filtering air or opening a window.

Under the new ban, no one is allowed to smoke in any of the Duluth high rise buildings, including private units and on balconies.

If you want to smoke, you have to be 25 feet away from any door or window.

"The HRA is looking at each individual site and wants to make a designated area that is safe and accessible for those people who want to continue to smoke," said McKone.

While some Duluth residents are praising the ban...

"I think it's a great idea," said Abrahm, who has lived at King Manor for nearly three years.

Others feel their freedoms are being compromised.

When asked, why smoking bans are needed, McKone has a simple answer.

"The 'why' is based on health," said McKone.

Smoking bans at King Manor, Grandview Manor, and Midtowne Manor I and II will go into effect in May of 2010.

The Tri–Towers and Ramsey Manor will enforce the ban in May of 2011.