The Pittsfield Housing authority, following the example of the Boston Housing Authority, has decided to implement a non-smoking policy for its public housing units. The move was announced in an article in the Berkshire Eagle on July 23, 2013. It may take a full year to implement the policy. The expected benefits include fire prevention, lower insurance and maintenance costs, and health benefits due to non-smoking, as well as the prevention of second hand smoke seeping into neighbors' apartments.
For those who may be interested in reading more, "Second Hand Smoke Seepage into Multi-Unit Affordable Housing" written in 2010 by the Tobbacco Control Legal Consortium outlines the laws and recommendations up to that date.
General information on Massachusetts laws about smoking may be found on the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries webpage.
