Fort Wayne Public Housing goes smoke-free

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Fort Wayne Public Housing residents are starting off the new year in a smoke-free environment.

Beginning Tuesday, January 1, smoking is no longer allowed on public housing properties. This comes after the Fort Wayne Public Housing Authority Board of Commissioners approved a smoke-free housing policy in November.

Residents in all Housing Authority buildings have been notified. They must sign lease addendums, stating that all residents and visitors won't smoke inside apartments, public areas, and within 20-feet of buildings.

Anyone who doesn't comply will be in violation of their public housing lease.

"We are very excited about the implementation of the new smoke-free policy in Fort Wayne Public Housing," said Alison Martin, Executive Director of the American Lung Association in Indiana.

"We believe that other public and private facilities will follow, as they understand the health benefits to residents and the cost savings in facility maintenance."

Guy Perry, who lives in one of the Fort Wayne government-subsidized apartments, doesn't support the plan.

"They should think twice before they ban us from smoking in our own apartments, that's our privacy," he said.

All residents must sign an addendum in their lease saying they will no longer smoke in their apartments. If they don't sign it, they will be put on a month-to-month least and have to find another place to live.