04/03/2014 // West Palm Beach, Florida, US // JusticeNewsFlash // Justice News Flash // (press release)
Massachusetts – Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick’s administration is urging the development of policies that would curtail smoking in public housing. As reported by The Washington Times, guidelines were issued to local housing authorities on Thursday by the Department of Housing and Community Development requesting that they develop smoke-free policies for public housing units managed by the state.
Smoking is banned in common areas in state public housing units, but it is allowed in individuals units. Housing Undersecretary Aaron Gornstein has stated that the goals for developing and implementing the policies include reducing second hand smoke exposure for residents, and preventing smoke related fire injuries and deaths among other things.
Tom Connelly, executive director of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, is quoted in the report as stating of the matter, “Smoking is a serious safety and quality of life issue for all residents” and smoke-free policies would “address public health issues, reduce maintenance and insurance costs, lessen property loss by fire, and prevent personal injuries.”
This report is provided by Justice News Flash – Massachusetts Legal News
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