As long as she's not bothering anyone else, Reda Richardson thinks she should be able to smoke at home.
But those days are numbered, the Broad Park Manor resident recently learned. On Oct. 1, the York Housing Authority will enact a no-smoking policy affecting residents of more than 1,000 units across York County.
"It feels like they're infringing on my personal life, telling me to live my life by their rules. I don't think it's fair," Richardson, 67, said. "What I do in my own private premises, it's nobody's business."
Richardson is not alone in her outrage.
Several dozen people - presumably most of them smokers - turned out Tuesday for a meeting about the new policy at the White Rose Senior Center in York City. It was the first in a series of information sessions that will be held at each of the authority's facilities, said Shelley Peterson, director of housing management.
The policy, which also bans smoking within 25 feet of entrances or windows, will go into effect Oct. 1, she said.
"People who are smokers are really not happy," Peterson said. "Nonsmokers are less vocal, but they're happy."
Marlene Sexton-Norrell, another Broad Park Manor resident, said she thinks it's hypocritical of the government to allow the sale of cigarettes but ban smoking in public housing facilities.
"Now they want to say you can't smoke," Sexton-Norrell, 63, said.
The York Housing Authority, which is based in York City, manages affordable-housing complexes throughout the county. Tenants pay no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent. The rest is subsidized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Peterson said.
HUD "strongly encouraged" the change in a written memo to housing authorities nationwide, Peterson said.
For now, there's no funding incentive to implement smoking bans, Peterson said. But, she said, "My guess is at some point HUD will mandate it."
The new policy will become part of lease agreements. Residents caught violating the policy can be charged a $250 fee. After three violations, the authority can opt to terminate the lease, Peterson said.
Peterson said the authority does not keep track of how many of its residents smoke.
Despite the passionate feedback, there's almost no chance the authority will abandon its plan before October, Peterson said.
"They believe they have a constitutional right, which they don't," she said.
- Reach Erin James at 505-5439 or ejames@yorkdispatch.com or on Twitter @ydcity.
Open Letter To HUD, York City Housing Authority, All Housing Authorities Affected, Senators And Representatives:
I am a resident of Broad Park Manor and feel my rights are being violated by not being able to smoke cigarettes in my own apartment. I am part American Indian, and tobacco smoke is part of our religious practices and belief system which would also be violating my religious freedoms which is un-Constitutional.
At this point in my life I am not interested in quitting and wish the Government and its funded agencies would stay out of my personal life.
When I first moved here before signing the lease, I specifically asked if smoking was permitted in my apartment, and they said yes. now it is around 4-5 years later and we are being told we can no longer smoke in our apartments as of Oct. 1st 2012.
Just because us residents are elderly, disabled and low income, we are being persecuted by not being permitted to smoke in our own home. We pay rent here based on what we earn and can afford. This is public housing and not owned by private owners. It is paid for by yours and my tax dollars, not a private owner who would have more say in this issue. Most of the people here are elderly and worked all their life and paid taxes, leave them alone to do as they please in their own home, and stop harassing them and me!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_views_on_smoking
Religious views on smoking vary widely. Indigenous peoples of the Americas have traditionally used tobacco for religious purposes, while Abrahamic and other religions have only been introduced to the practice in recent times due to the European colonization of the Americas in the 16th century.
Communal smoking of a sacred tobacco pipe is a common ritual of many Native American tribes, and was considered a sacred part of their religion. Sema, the Anishinaabe word for tobacco, was grown for ceremonial use and considered the ultimate sacred plant since its smoke was believed to carry prayers to the heavens. Smoking was chiefly done after the evening meal, in the sweathouse, and before going to sleep.[1] The tobacco used during these rituals varies widely in potency — the Nicotiana rustica species used in South America, for instance, has up to twice the nicotine content of the common North American N. tabacum. Many Native American tribes operate tobacco stores, including on the Internet, where they are usually exempt from taxes and therefore can sell products cheaper than non-Native American dealers.
There is also Biblical reference pertaining to the smoking of flax.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+12%3A17-20%2CIsaiah+42%3A1-4&version=KJV
Matthew 12:17-20
King James Version (KJV)
17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
Isaiah 42:1-4
King James Version (KJV)
42 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
The residents of York Housing Authority would greatly appreciate your help in this matter!
Thanks in advance,
Blaine Bosserman
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