Odessa

The smoking bans have reached epic heights. Let me just say that I personally hate cigarette smoke and I would love it if everybody quit. But I am a realist, the 20% of Americans that smoke are not just going to quit. However, I do have a bit of sympathy for someone who is told they can not smoke in a place they OWN.

For many years, landlords have banned smoking. My parents owned a rental property about 20 years ago and would not rent to smokers after renting to one for 3 yrs. From a purely business perspective this makes sense. Smoking is a fire hazard so insurance is higher. Smoking makes the windows and walls completely gross and cleaning up after a smoker who has moved is time consuming, smelly and thankless. Furthermore, smoke-free appeals to the 80% who do not smoke. However, smoking bans aren't just for tenants anymore.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-10-02-nosmoke_N.htm

Now some condo associations are banning smoking. Since most don't grandfather people in, it doesn't matter if you bought your unit 3 months ago or 10 yrs ago. If one buys a condo or a home in any other restricted community, one realizes that they will have rules to live by in their own home. However, should those rules be changed on someone? Now some municipalities are passing laws banning smoking in apartments and condos. I do not think its fair, no matter how much I hate smoking.

Think about this - the government is passing a law on what you can do within the four walls of the home you own. Something that is not inherently illegal. People tend not to squawk unless the right being taken away is something they like having the right to do. If the government can ban smoking in someone's home, a privately owned residence, where will the erosion of our rights end?