The Chicago City Council implemented a multipronged clean air decree, which took effect on January16, 2006 and was subsequently expanded on July1, 2008 with a few huge fines for those who do not observe.

In spring 2009, a 24-story high-rise apartment block became Chicago’s first smoke-free apartment building.

Law officers state that condominium (also called condo) associations have statutory right to make their condominiums smoke free, as well as they are free to ban pets. There is no state or federal right for people to smoke.

Thus it was not a surprise that owners of a luxurious 28-unit high-rise on the Gold Coast, decided to become Illinois’ first smoke-free condominium building, by banning all tobacco products on their territory and individual residences

Smoke-free apartments and condo buildings are becoming popular, probably because people begin to think about the dangerous effects of environmental tobacco smoke, according to real estate experts.

"In addition to offering healthier living conditions for residents, the vote to ban smoking at 28-unit high-rise on the Gold Coast also fulfils conditions of the Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control (ETSC), a requirement for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)," declared Brian Lozell, deputy vice president of DK Condo, the condominium association’s management firm.

Valuators state that the resale value of smoke-free condominium buildings is usually higher than buildings that permit smoking. Smoke-free policies also reduce condo associations’ exploitation costs by decreasing cleaning costs and dropping the risk of fire.

Current citywide survey conducted by the Chicago Tobacco Prevention Project demonstrates that about a third of all leaseholders in Chicago would be ready to pay more rent in order to live in smoke-free buildings.

All these findings concur with an increasing popularity in the Chicago rental market whereunder lessors and property managers are switching their rental properties to non-smoking areas, stated Maurice Ortiz, Chief Marketing Officer of the Apartment People, a leading apartment-finding service.

The survey showed that the cost of turning over an apartment at the end of rental contract can be 90% higher as when the apartment has been occupied by a smoking leaseholder. But it is not just the cost savings that attract so much property owners. Environmentally-friendly apartments are simply easier to rent.

According to Chicago study there is an increasing awareness among potential renters about the hazards of secondhand smoke, with 88% of those surveyed considering secondhand smoke as a dangerous health threat.

"That awareness demonstrated the desire of people to have a healthier lifestyle, to live, work and rest in smoke-free environments," stated Dave Fako, whose company has led the survey involving approximately 400 adult renters.

http://www.cigarettespub.com/cigarettes-news/smoke-free-condominiums-become-a-popular-tendency