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The New York City Housing Authority is asking for more time and resources to put in effect a proposed federal ban on smoking, which will impact its 178k apartments spread across 328 properties. (The proposed rule requires housing agencies to ban lit cigarettes, cigars and pipes in all units, indoor common areas, administrative offices and outdoor areas within 25 feet of housing and office buildings.)
The authority is asking for three years, rather than the proposed 18 months, to put a ban in place, allowing time for an educational campaign over the first two years, then enactment of the ban in the third year, according to The New York Times.
The authority's chairwoman Shola Olatoye said residents show support for a ban, but only if it's phased in gradually and with resident embrace. Other officials said the ban was too difficult if additional federal funds were not provided to educate the residents, offer smoking cessation programs and ensure compliance [NYT]
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