I am happy to say that I have been a resident of Benicia since last August. I moved here because I desired to live in a community where it was safe, friendly, beautiful plus closer to my work! I rented an apartment downtown in a cute, quaint, small complex.
Everything was well until one night I realized that my bedroom smelled like cigarette smoke. I am not naïve and I did know my neighbor smoked but I did not know he smoked in his apartment, nor was I told this when I signed my lease. I would never had rented had I known he smoked indoors. I am a nurse, so I know the detrimental effects of smoking. You know what they say, nothing worse than a reformed smoker....guilty!
Now the problem has only gotten worse with winter. If this is happening in my apartment complex, is it happening everywhere, and worse children and the chronically ill are being exposed to second hand smoke.
The Cancer Society says it’s hard to get away from smoke if you live in a multi-family facility or apartment complex. SB 332 which gave landlords permission to limit smoking on their properties was passed in January 2012. Unfortunately, my landlord refuses to take a stance. The other way to handle this problem is for the community to take a position on the problem. In my research on this subject I found out that discussion has taken place in the city council meeting in Benicia regarding smoking in apartments and it was revealed to me that discussion was just shelved.
I have contacted city hall with no response. Help and thanks for listening.
-- Vicki Potts
