A huge condominium building in the Coal Harbour area of Vancouver is on the verge of going totally smoke-free.
That means no smoking anywhere, even inside people’s privately-owned suites. The building is called the Melville, and is the tallest residential tower in the City.
“I don’t think it’s really fair,” said Melville condo owner Mahan Jafari. “As long as you stay inside your premises, and it doesn’t affect the other people, I think it’s pretty fair to smoke inside.”
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Jafari learned on Wednesday that even though he owns his place at the Melville, he can’t smoke there.
Ninety-one per cent of owners voted in favour of a by-law banning all smoking.
“Smoke does travel in buildings, and even though your unit’s not a smoking unit, it can travel up through balconies, up through windows, up through ventilation shafts, heating systems, your unit can be really detrimentally affected,” said one condo owner.
Non-smokers argue condo living is communal living. The air gets circulated.
The Head Concierge says he hears all sorts of complaints from residents, and is glad the smoking ones will be gone.
But if more buildings downtown follow suit and also ban smoking, it could pose problems for the smoking public who will have fewer housing options.
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