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This is because smoke can migrate through walls, ductwork, windows, and <br />ventilation systems of multi-unit dwellings and potentially affect residents in other <br />units far removed from the smoking area. In addition to the dissemination of this <br />secondhand smoke into other apartments, tobacco toxins may persist on and be <br />absorbed from surfaces in the indoor environment well beyond the period of <br />active smoking (American Academy of Pediatrics). <br /> <br />· Tobacco-smoke exposure causes illness in children, including asthma and <br />respiratory infections and has been associated with sudden infant death <br />syndrome, metabolic syndrome, and otitis media. There is no “safe level” of <br />exposure to tobacco smoke. Very low levels of tobacco smoke exposure have <br />been associated with attenuated endothelial function in children, as well as <br />decreased score on reading, math, and block-design tests of cognitive function <br />(American Academy of Pediatrics). <br /> <br />· Although not the primary focus on this report, it is also important to note that <br />smoking contributes to a significant percentage of fire related fatalities and <br />injuries in residential buildings (US Fire Administration). <br /> <br />The points above are only a high-level summary of the impacts of smoking within <br />multifamily buildings. Several studies attached to this report provide greater detail about <br />these and other health impacts. On a positive note, most multifamily building owners <br />have already banned smoking within their buildings. According to the California <br />Apartment Association, approximately 80% of their members already prohibit smoking <br />within units. Nonetheless, the health impacts for the residents of the remaining units <br />remain, and several studies have shown that smoke free multi-unit housing policies are <br />the most effective method to fully reduce secondhand smoke exposure in multi-unit <br />housing. <br /> <br />As noted above, other jurisdictions within San Mateo County have already adopted <br />ordinances that ban smoking in multi-family units. These jurisdictions include San Mateo <br />County, and the cities of Belmont, Burlingame, San Mateo and San Bruno. In addition, <br />the City of Palo Alto and other nearby San Clara County cities have similar ordinances. <br />Across California these ordinances are becoming more commonplace. <br /> <br />ANALYSIS <br />About half of all Redwood City residents live within multi-family buildings. A multi-family <br />building is defined as a building with three or more attached units; it excludes duplexes. <br />In Redwood City, approximately 948 buildings with 16,418 dwelling units meet this <br />definition. <br />6.4.A. - Page 16