Make B.C. Housing's Buildings Smoke-Free!
Second hand smoke is a known cause of lung cancer and heart disease, yet B.C. Housing does not have a single building that is smoke-free. This is shocking, especially when one takes into account the fact that a significant percentage of B.C. Housing tenants have chronic health issues and are on a Disability income. The author of this petition is on Disability, has no choice but to live in a B.C. Housing building due to income restrictions, has chronic respiratory issues, and is allergic to tobacco. Despite purchasing an air cleaning unit and running it full blast 24/7, I am chronically ill from an allergic reaction to the second hand smoke in the building, even without leaving my suite. I cannot breathe in the common areas of the building. I am unable to utilize the laundry facilities in the building, yet am arbitrarily charged a monthly fee for those services.The bias in favor of those tenants who are smokers is not only unfair to non-smokers, it is harmful to the health of all tenants.The goal of this petition is to persuade B.C. Housing to make their buildings smoke-free. As this transition may take time, I propose the immediate, interim measure that B.C. Housing be required to install professional quality air cleaning units in the common areas on every floor of each of their buildings in order to help protect the health & well being of their tenants. Further, B.C. Housing should be required to reimburse those tenants with health issues such as myself who are directly affected by second hand smoke, who have had no choice but to invest in costly air cleaning units for their own suites. Tenants in B.C. Housing buildings all live on a restricted income, and cannot afford to absorb such high costs without experiencing extreme hardship. B.C. Housing should also be required to reimburse us for all other costs directly incurred by this health hazard.I urge all non-smokers, and all those whose friends or family members have been affected by the harmful effects of second hand smoke, to sign & circulate this petition. The longer B.C. Housing is permitted to maintain their harmful policy of allowing smoking in all their buildings, the more people will be forced to suffer. Those of us who are already struggling with debilitating health issues do not need this additional push towards the grave. Thank you."When you can't breathe, nothing else matters."B.C. Housing website: http://www.bchousing.org/Canadian Lung Association website: http://www.lung.ca/home-accueil_e.phpSecond Hand Smoke: http://www.lung.ca/protect-protegez/tobacco-tabagisme/second-secondaire/...
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