Chicago, Illinois - smoke-free apartment and condominium buildings are becoming the wave of the future ..

January 3, 2011 - Clean air is taking on a whole new meaning in the Windy City (Chicago), where smokers regularly are banished to the great outdoors in restaurants, offices and now apartments and condominiums. The Chicago City Council passed a comprehensive clean air ordinance that became effective on Jan. 16, 2006 and was further expanded on July 1, 2008 with some hefty fines for those who do not comply.

Study: 99% of Children Living in Apartments May Be Exposed to Secondhand Smoke..

In spring of 2009, AMLI 900, a brand new contemporary 24-story high-rise at 900 S. Clark St. in the South Loop, became Chicago’s first smoke-free apartment building, according to AMLI Residential, the developer.

Legal experts say condo boards and associations have the legal right to make their condominium property smoke free, just as they are free to prohibit pets. There is no state or federal constitutional right for people to smoke.

So it wasn’t surprising that owners at 1418 N. Lake Shore Dr., a luxury 28-unit high-rise on the Gold Coast, voted to become Illinois’ first smoke-free condo building in summer of 2010 by prohibiting cigarette, cigar, pipe or any other smoking in the property’s common areas and individual residences.

Smoke-free apartment and condominium buildings are becoming the wave of the future as the serious health effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), or secondhand smoke, have become better understood, real estate experts say.

Appraisers say the resale value of individual units smoke-free condominium buildings nationwide typically is higher than buildings that allow smoking. Smoke-free policies also cut condo associations’ maintenance costs by reducing cleaning and painting costs and lowering the risk of fire.

A recent citywide survey commissioned by the Chicago Tobacco Prevention Project shows that nearly a third of all renters in Chicago would be willing to pay more rent to live in smoke-free buildings. The Chicago study reflects a growing awareness among prospective renters of the dangers of secondhand smoke, with 88 percent of those surveyed ranking secondhand smoke as a serious health hazard.

“That awareness is shaping attitudes towards healthier lifestyles relative to tobacco exposure and a strong desire to live, work and play in smoke-free environments,” said Dave Fako, whose firm has conducted the survey involving a random sample of 400 adult renters.

Reference: Smoke-free condos in vogue Condo boards and associations have the legal right to make their condominium property smoke free, DON DeBAT, ChicagoJournal.com, 12/29/2010.

A few related news briefs:
Canada - more and more renters and owners demanding smoke-free housing in multiunit dwellings..;
England - if you want to rent a place to live then it's time to quit smoking..;
U.S. - another housing authority bans smoking..;
More Public Housing Units Going Smoke-Free...