Did all the smokers move out of Portland? (apartments, rental)

[C-Chelle]

OMG, every apartment, Non-Smokers!

Ok, fine, I don't smoke in the house but seriously, I can't smoke on the porch/balcony? I am required to go 20 feet away from the entire building? WOW!!!

And what about those with a Medical Marijuana card? Can't smoke that in public period. So where (if any) do the smokers live in Portland?

[jeneric13]

I see tons of smokers standing outside of their apartment buildings and houses. Like in the driveway or on the balcony. I don't think people can deny you a place to live just because you smoke... you just won't be able to smoke inside their building.

[Mark S.]

The problem is enforcing lease agreements. All too many times, when tenants read "smoking is allowed outside only," that tends to end up in practice as, "smoking is allowed outside only when the landlord is around." So many landlords just institute a no smoking policy so they don't have to deal with it.

But mostly it has to do with insurance policies. Every year, apartment buildings burn down because of careless smokers. Smoking is considered a major risk for insurance companies.

It raises issues with smoke detectors. Some tenants will disconnect the smoke detectors in a place so they can smoke inside, which is a big no-no against NFPA rules. If a landlord gets caught with disconnected smoke detectors, he or she can have their insurance policy cancelled.

Same thing is true about barbecue grills. Some insurance companies won't even insure a rental if they see grills within 10 ft of a building, so many landlords just outright ban them so they can keep their insurance.

http://bangordailynews.com/2012/03/2...building-fire/

http://bangordailynews.com/2012/03/0...ette-disposal/

http://www.mainenewssimply.com/conte...fire-thomaston

http://www.portlanddailysun.me/index...tment-building

http://www.pressherald.com/news/main...ment-fire.html

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewis...ldings/1267218

[C-Chelle]

Good to know. As mentioned, I don't mind going outside, but it would be nice to just on on the patio or balcony (should I get lucky enough to have one lol). I hate when I have to stand out on the sidewalk to smoke and have people try to bum a smoke. Too expensive to just hand out like candy..... one every now and then is fine, but every time I would go outside to smoke, I would get 3-5 people asking to bum one.

Sad thing is, all these extra chemicals added to make cigarettes fire proof, the insurance companies should be more understanding. Haha!

All good, I am sure something will work out. Leaving today for a visit, interview and apartment shopping. Should be an interesting 2 days, can't wait to get there.

[mainelander]

Originally Posted by C-Chelle

OMG, every apartment, Non-Smokers!

Ok, fine, I don't smoke in the house but seriously, I can't smoke on the porch/balcony? I am required to go 20 feet away from the entire building? WOW!!!

And what about those with a Medical Marijuana card? Can't smoke that in public period. So where (if any) do the smokers live in Portland?

good, smoking is a bad habit.

[C-Chelle]

Originally Posted by mainelander

good, smoking is a bad habit.

So is fast food but I see Portland has it's share of that

[mainelander]

Well i wont defend fast food, but i will say if i am sitting on a park bench eating the fumes wont give someone second hand grease and contact heart disease.

Smoking is a dirty vile habit, plain and simple.

[mainegrl2011]

Originally Posted by C-Chelle

So is fast food but I see Portland has it's share of that

lol...I don't smoke but it seems that most laws designed to protect the rights of some infringe on someone else's rights. If you wanna smoke inside I guess you'll have to buy your own home. So is driving, but people still do it. Alcoholic beverages lead to liver disease, but people still drink. I hear soft drinks over 16 oz. are a health threat also.

Maybe we should have a law against negative people who gripe and complain too much. Mainelander's (I have serious doubts about that.) posts may be leading to depression in others who are reading the negative, griping, and complaining posts. Maine is mostly a place of "live and let live; the way life should be." Apparently mainelander hasn't heard.

[mainegrl2011]

Originally Posted by mainelander

Well i wont defend fast food, but i will say if i am sitting on a park bench eating the fumes wont give someone second hand grease and contact heart disease.

Smoking is a dirty vile habit, plain and simple.

Before you know it, there will be a law against sitting on a park bench--might infringe on someone's rights.

[C-Chelle]

Originally Posted by mainelander

Well i wont defend fast food, but i will say if i am sitting on a park bench eating the fumes wont give someone second hand grease and contact heart disease.

Smoking is a dirty vile habit, plain and simple.

However the carbon monoxide from the passing cars will effect you while you are sitting on the bench. Just saying .

Sorry, I was just asking a simple question, not trying to start a major debate. All I want is a nice little place where it's convenient to get outside to smoke, like a porch or balcony.

While I was staying at the Inn at St. John, it was easy to get outside and there were awnings to keep me dry while I was outside smoking. And of course.... every 3rd person to pass asks.... "can I bum a smoke?" It's so annoying. Is it wrong of me to want to be able to enjoy a cigarette without having to make someone feel bad by saying no?

Anyway, still apartment hunting, if anyone has a lead on a nice 1 bedroom 850.00 or under it would be greatly appreciated. I am quite amazed at the price of apartments there.