The City Council from Calabasas wants to include apartment complexes on list of non-smoking places. The new law will prohibit smoking on patios and balconies and in any complexes that are attended by non-smokers.

Councilman Barry Groveman said the council was going to protect public health and to protect people against second-hand smoke. Calabasas city gained international renown when the city council approved and launched the 2006 Secondhand Smoke Control Ordinance.

Calabasas has prohibited lightening up in all public spaces, including parks, apartment common areas, restaurants and bars, and all places where anyone might be exposed to second-hand smoke.

New amendment is aimed at putting an end to smoking in local apartment complexes. “Gradually, over time, as smokers move out, the complex will be completely smoke-free,” Councilwoman Mary Sue Maurer said. “There’s no pressure for them to move or quit smoking. New tenants will be moving into a smoke-free unit.”

Before the ban was launched, Sam Savoia had kept her patio door closed to protect her two children of cigarette smoke that came from her smoking neighbors. Sam complained about this situation to the building manager and within 1 month the smokers were gone.

“It’s so much nicer not to have a smoker down there,” Savoia said. “As much as I don’t like restricting what people can do or can’t do in their home, it affects our quality of life.”

Steve Molina, 22, smoker is of another opinion. He thinks that the new law is a blatant attack on their civil liberties.

Steve is partly right. Savoia agrees with Steve’s affirmation and said she would attend Council meeting to voice her opinion.

”The biggest issue for me is not to restrict people, but to ensure everyone is ensured a healthy quality of life,” she said. “Smokers need to have a place to go. It’s not fair to ban it entirely. It’s not realistic.”