Westmoreland Co. Housing Authority approves smoking ban

People living in public housing in Westmoreland County won't be able to smoke inside their homes much longer because the Housing Authority just approved a smoking ban.

Dorian Mapstone is one of many living in public housing who smokes. He told Channel 11 he's been smoking since he was 9 years old. But when he re-signs his lease at Jeannette Manor, he'll have to take his smoke breaks, outside.

“I'm gonna quit smoking. I've smoked long enough, I think, smoked over 50 years,” Mapstone said.

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Westmoreland County Housing Authority is implementing a non-smoking policy, they say due to the known risks of secondhand smoke and risk of fire and maintenance, all public housing across the county will be smoke-free.

“A lot of people in here smoke,” said resident Frank Monstrola. “So they'll have to move the picnic table 25 feet and deal with it.”

Monstrola is one of those people. He's lived here for two years, and says, he expects it.

“It's like that everywhere else already, so long time coming here."

The policy would ban cigarettes, pipes, cigars, vaping and e-cigarettes but the unexpected outcome, to kick the habit, is a personal one for these people.

“Hopefully it helps me, my doctor's been on me to quit smoking, so I probably should,” Mapstone said.

Cox Media Group