The attempts of a California legislator to create a statewide law that would allow, although not require, landlords to ban smoking inside rental units as a means of protecting the health of other tenants who may live nearby, raises the level of debate on the privacy of smoking. He states that "The goal here is to try to provide smoke-free housing for folks who live in multiunit buildings in California."
With the battle now engaged on both caosts, we can expect more cities and states to try to reign in smoking in the privacy of one's own home where that home is in close proximity to other residential units and common areas. If health is truly the issue, landlords should still be left to choose whether to be a smoke-free environment or not. Similarly, apartment, coop, condo and other multifamily dwellers should be able to opt for a smokeless environment much the same way that travelers choose hotel rooms.
The good thing about this debate will be that some enterprising developer or owner will see the very large market of non-smokers as a vast and untapped resource. Marriott Hotels recently made this switch and there does not appear to be any remorse on its part. There is a whole world waiting for the first large smoke-free rental community.
All it takes is courage.