On the eastern end of Long Island, sits Suffolk County and last night the Legislature unanimously approved a measure that allows the county to ban smoking within private housing.
The measure applies to common areas of apartment buildings, condominiums and other multi-family housing. The approval grants health officials access to health officials to those areas to enforce the law.
The anti-smoking law was sponsored by Monica Martinez, a Democrat from Brentwood and covers apartment complexes with 10 or more unites. It also includes senior and assisted living facilities.
In addition to the common areas such as laundry rooms, lobbies, and stairwells it also includes a 50-foot radius of entrances, exits and ventilation intakes. The measures also include common areas that are outside such as swimming pools.
Before the new measure goes into effect it must undergo a hearing before County Executive Steve Ballone (Democrat) where it is expected to pass.
The legislation currently call for a $250 fine for each violation and multiple violations could result in 6 months jail time.
