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Queens Councilman proposes smoking ban in NYC housing (Daily News, Erin Durkin)

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On October 28, 2015 The Daily News reported that the Queens Councilman, Donovan Richards, introduced legislation which would ban smoking in apartment’s at all new city-financed affordable housing and existing NYCHA developments. This would include any unit which receives city subsidies, tax breaks, loans or cheap land, and hundreds of public housing developments run by the NYCHA. This is coming as a result of the federal government encouraging housing authorities to go smoke-free.

Concerns were brushed off regarding the ban infringing on people’s right to smoke in their own homes by stating that outdoor areas could be designated for smokers. Many cities including Philadelphia and Albany have already instituted similar bans in public housing authorities. The proposed legislation can be read here.