COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - The Columbia Housing Authority has voted to approve a policy banning smoking inside all apartment units in buildings the authority operates.
The board voted 4-0 to approve the ban Tuesday after listening to several public housing residents express their opinions about the policy.
Some opponents of the ban say they fear it infringes on their right to choose where to smoke. Others claim the ban will create hostility between young people and housing security guards, which could lead to police involvement.
"As long as you are the age to buy them, you should be able to smoke where you want to," said 46-year-old resident Debra Richardson.
Commissioner Mike Lewis said at the meeting health was the main priority of the policy. Officials cited studies suggest the change would improve the overall health of residents and lower the probability of accidental fires.
"We're talking about life and death in the long run," Lewis said. "I think going outside is a reasonable alternative for those who really, really need to smoke or want to smoke."
The commissioner emphasized the authority was not trying to stop people from smoking, but just asking that they do it outside.
According to a Centers for Disease Control report released in October, banning smoking in all subsidized housing nationwide in 2012 would have amounted to about $497 million in annual savings of costs related to health care, rehab and smoking-attributed fires. The report said Missouri would save about $9.42 million annually with $4.36 million is health care cost savings.
The new smoking policy will go into effect May 1.