Smokers who live in publicly funded housing are now on notice after a new federal rule took effect Monday banning the activity within 25 feet of dwellings.
The new policy affects nearly 1 million housing units nationwide, including 7,200 people living in Nevada.
"I'm for it, and I'm against it," said Tom Cole, who has lived in publicly funded housing for 12 years.
Cole is a U.S. Navy veteran and a former smoker and worries about the impact to people with mobility issues.
"I don't smoke, but there's people who are very old and they live in here and they are confined to their living quarters, they can't go outside," said Cole.
The rule was first introduced by Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, in 2015. The smoking ban is supposed to save an estimated $150 million dollars each year across the county by reducing smoking related maintenance costs, fire risk and damage, and protecting non-smokers from second hand smoke healthcare costs.
It will effect all 24 public housing properties around Southern Nevada
Aida Brents Housing
2120 Vegas Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89106
Archie Grant Park Housing
1720 Searles Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Arthur D. Sartini Annex Housing
5200 Alpine, Las Vegas, NV 89107
Arthur D. Sartini Plaza
900 South Brush Street, Las Vegas, NV 89107
Ernie Cragin Terrace Housing
28th Street and Valley Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Biegger Estates
5701 Missouri Street, Las Vegas, NV 89122
Espinoza Terrace Housing
Boulder Highway and Van Wagenen, Henderson, NV 89015
Hampton Court Housing
Lake Mead Drive and Warm Springs, Henderson, NV 89015
Harry Levy Gardens
2525 W Washington Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89106
Hullum Homes / Jones Gardens
1750 Marion Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89115
(located South of Lake Mead Boulevard between Lamb and Nellis)
James Down Towers
5000 West Alta Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89107
Landsman Gardens
750 Major Street, Henderson, NV 89015
(East of Boulder Highway at Major Street and Burkholder)
Lubertha Johnson Estates
3900 Perry Street, Las Vegas, NV 89122
Marble Manor
1320 Morgan Street, Las Vegas, NV 89106
Marion D. Bennett, Sr. Plaza
1818 Balzar Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89106
Marble Manor Annex/Sherman Gardens
909 Doolittle Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89106
Otto Merida Desert Villas
50 Honolulu Street, Las Vegas, NV 89110
Rose Gardens
1632 Yale Street, North Las Vegas, NV 89030
Schaffer Heights
2901 Schaffer Circle, Las Vegas, NV 89121
Sherman Gardens Annex
Doolittle Avenue and H Street, Las Vegas 89106
Simmons Manor
5385 John Austin Court, Las Vegas, NV 89122
Vera Johnson Manor B
505 Lamb Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89110
Villa Capri
1801 J Street, Las Vegas, NV 89106
Scattered housing sites around Southern Nevada
"I have been frank, speaking to my staff and with public housing residents: public housing is not an entitlement, it is a deserving opportunity for folks who want to transition and improve their lives," said Chad Williams, Executive Director of the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority.
Williams says the ban is now a part of the lease agreements for residents and it will be enforced through on-site visits and tips from residents.
Residents will be allowed up to 4 smoking violations before facing eviction, according to the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority.
The smoking ban also includes e-cigarettes and marijuana.
