You won't find a restaurant in Gainesville, or for that matter, all of Florida that offers the option anymore. We're talking about smoking. A state-wide ban on smoking in restaurants has been in effect for awhile and now Gainesville apartment complexes are offering the option to going smoke-free as well.
Offering smoke-free living is just one more extra perk apartment complexes are looking to offer their tenants. No more dodging cigarette butts in your flip flops as you walk home from class, no more holding your breath as you pass people in the breezeway smoking outside their door, and no more smoke wafting into your apartment from the neighbors next door! There are many benefits to going smoke-free whether it's to maintain an oxygen-rich and clean dwelling or to keep toxins and smoke out of your lungs!
For apartment residents, secondhand smoke can be a major concern. It can drift in from other apartments and common areas and make its way through doorways, walls, porches, electrical lines, plumbing, and ventilation systems. This is why many apartment complexes have decided to go smoke-free. This choice has helped many residents and guests in these specific apartment communities breathe a little easier!
Besides the benefit of smoke-free premises, you have the advantage of knowing the carpet and walls of your dwelling haven't absorbed harmful toxins from cigarette smoke from the previous renters. Who wants their closet to reek like smoke? And if you've felt weird in the past asking your visiting friends or roommates to not smoke in your apartment this gives you the perfect excuse to tell your nicotine-loving friends to stash their smokes while they are in your apartment.
On top of the harmful side effects, did you know you can save money on your apartment's renters insurance if you are a non-smoker? It's true! Since smoking indoors is one of the leading causes of residential fires, many insurance companies offer discounts to non-smokers. In addition, think of the amount of money you'll save when you refrain from buying a cigarette pack!
And if you are a smoker, this may be just the incentive to help you break the habit. It's a tough one to break, but if you want to live in some of the nicer, upscale apartment complexes in Gainesville, you may just have to send that smoking habit to the curb so you can move in. Who wants to be denied an awesome place to live just because you smoke? And if you or your friends have allergies, this amenity is definitely an added benefit to help you cut down on the Claritin.
So instead of heading outside for a puff with friends, grab a nice bottle of vino or cold drink, and relax in your smoke-free apartment or on your porch knowing your nose (and lungs) won't be interrupted by the secondhand smoke from the people next door.
Watch this video about the dangers of smokingofrom the American Lung Association.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my Gainesville apartment smoke free certified?
First, you can ask a leasing agent or property manager to share information about any certifications the property holds or provide information on smoking policies. Additionally, the Florida Apartment Association partners with the Department of Health and Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida have a program to certify apartment communities and implement smoke free policies. You can visit FAA Smoke Free Certified Communities to learn more.
How can I ask my neighbor to stop smoking in our smoke free apartment community in Gainesville?
If your community is smoke free, and you feel comfortable talking to your neighbor, try opening up a discussion about the community policy and your health concerns regarding exposure to second hand smoke. Determine if there is a compromise that can be reached regarding their smoking location that is still within property policy. You may need to bring the issue to the attention of property management who will propose solutions or help remediate the situation.
What does it actually mean to live in a "smoke-free" apartment in Gainesville?
While policies can differ, there are typically a few different "levels" of smoke-free living in Gainesville apartments. Some properties prohibit smoking anywhere on the property including common areas as well as in apartments. Likewise, some properties simply prohibit smoking in common areas. Ask your individual apartment community for their specific policies.