Given the legalization of marijuana and popularity of e-cigarettes, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is updating its policy when it comes to smoking in multi-unit dwellings.
The previous policy created in 2014 dealt with smoking tobacco but Manager of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Eric Nadalin says the new policy now includes cannabis and vaping.
Nadalin says the policy encourages the health unit to work with building owners and managers to advocate for smoke-free dwellings, although any enforcement is the responsibility of the building owners themselves.
He says the policy further protects tenants.
"They can smoke in their apartment under the Smoke Free Ontario Act, the provincial legislation, but what this resolution really encourages us to do is move beyond the legislation," says Nadalin.
He says although cannabis is now legal, the complaints haven't stopped.
"We receive a high volume of complaints and even prior to the legalization of cannabis, we received a high volume of complaints related to cannabis smoking in multi-unit dwellings," says Nadalin. "Research has shown that 80% of people who live in multi-unit dwellings would prefer to live in smoke-free full buildings."
Any ban would be up to the building owners and managers.