Re “Attn. City Hall: Sweet 16 Reasons Ahead of Smoking Ban”
[img]2283|right|Jeff Cooper||no_popup[/img]When the City Council voted 4-1 last week to order an ordinance prohibiting smoking in multi-family buildings, Jeff Cooper, a banker by day, was the dissenter.
Standing against all four colleagues, Mr. Cooper charged this was a case of government overreach.
“While I am not a cigarette smoker, and I do not appreciate inhaling second-hand smoke, this is a matter that people can self-police,” Mr. Cooper said yesterday.
“Government does not need to get involved. Besides, there already are remedies in place.
For practical reasons, Mr. Cooper said that a one-size-fits-all ordinance is inappropriate.
“We have different types of condominiums, townhomes, and apartments of various sizes,” he said. “Many apartments already are nonsmoking buildings.”
“Our Police Dept.’s resources should be reserved for crimes that are more severe,” he said. “They should not be involved with this kind of policing.
“There are other laws, nuisance laws, for example, that people can rely on to help them.
“They can appeal to homeowners’ associations, and to landlords,” Mr. Cooper said.
On Another Hand
[img]1307|right|Meghan Sahli-Wells||no_popup[/img]Down the dais, Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells came out just as vigorously on the opposite side.
“I am a strong supporter of this ordinance,” said the mayor, “and let me give you an example of why. Two years ago when we began discussing this, a young man came before us.
“His partner was pregnant. A smoker moved into the unit right below them. The couple was worried about the effect of second-hand smoke on their baby and on themselves.
“Their story reminded me of the last time I lived in an apartment less than 10 years ago,” said Ms. Sahli-Wells. “The same thing happened to me. I was concerned about the effects of smoke on my baby, my husband, myself.
