Non smoking housing sparks controversy

Little Rock, ARKANSAS (CNN) - The new year means new resolutions. At the top of many people's list: stop smoking.

Residents of a public housing complex in Little Rock, Arkansas are getting a push in that direction, and some aren't too happy about it.

The city's housing authority has enacted a new no-smoking policy at the Cumberland Towers complex.

"The party is over."

A few times since she started smoking 44 years ago, Julie Mccoy has tried and tried to quit and as always she's found that it's easier said than done.

But a smoking ban by her landlord wasn't exactly what she was expecting to snap her into quitting.

"They could have given us a longer notice; which people could have made changes and whatever."

About 28 of McCoy’s neighbors at Cumberland towers are smokers.

The smoke-free rule, for now, means they have to go 50 feet off the property to light up or huddle under this temporary tent, until a smoking gazebo is built in three months.

"I've smoked 60 years and I don't think I can quit now."

An early afternoon meeting on new year's day marked the official start of the switch, though tenants were first notified in early December.

"The housing authority says they reached the smoke-free decisions after considering a few factors: one of them was a fire here a few years ago. A resident was smoking when she fell asleep, setting fire to her apartment, killing two people including herself.”

Property manager Carl Smith says there is also the health factor.

"We have several residents that have breathing problems and asthmatic conditions. And even if they don't smoke, the smoke from the other apartments are affecting them."

"I'm glad we're doing something to clear the air and just make it a better
place for those who need healing and special attention."

McCoy says she doesn't disagree, in fact it'll actually help her finally quit, but it's her friends she's concerned about.

"There's a bunch of people that are going to move because of, because of it..."

The housing authority says two more public housing complexes-- Paris Towers and Powell, are next on the list for the smoking ban.

They are also offering various resources to help the residents who smoke, quit the habit once and for all.