In rental housing listings, discrimination is illegal.  Is saying "Non-smokers only" discrimination?
447939
First of all, "smokers" are not a protected class, so discrimination is not an issue.  \n\nAnd my comment would be, how would they know you smoke?  They can't keep you from smoking outside.  As long as you do not smoke in the house.\n\nHowever, I will mention that it may be an insurance issue.  When you get homeowners insurance, they ask you if you smoke.  I guess because you are more likely to burn down your house if you do?  I dunno.  Anyway, so it may cost a lot more in insurance if the property owner rents to people who smoke in the house.\n\nOr they may just be being diffcult, but I figured I would propose a possible legit reason.
896769
Not unconstitutional in any way.\n\n/is a smoker.
987631
I doubt if you can open a smoker's bar, however depending on the language of the law, you can open a private club, charge a small fee to be a member, not open to the public.  If it is a private club, they can't touch you if it is not written in the ban.
1118669
Well, if you don't own the business, then you really have no right to tell the owner(s) how to run their's.\nSecondly, there is a drastic difference between breathing the air outside and having to deal with cigarette smoke in a condensed area.  \nWhile I'm sure you are aware of the countless cancer causing stories related to smoking, cigarette smoking doesn't promote a healthy lifestyle.  If your company pays for your health benefits, they have to pay more when there are smokers.\nAlso, why should smokers be allowed to take specified breaks during the day while non-smokers are not given the same privilege.  And don't give me the non-smokers can get up and talk to people at the same time as the smokers are on their break as innumerable office statistics show that both smokers and non-smokers waste multiple hours during the week on non-work related work items.\nIf you really don't like the rules that may be set up within your community, run for a seat on county board or for city council and see if you can change the rules from within.  That's why we have democracy and that is what your son (and many of my friends) are fighting for.
602367
Carefully check out your local laws; check your health department to see if they have any advice. Where I live, in the U.S. in a rather conservative state, you can 1) file a lawsuit against the building since they are providing you heat or a/c contaminated by a carcinogenic substance; 2) sue your neighbors for creating a nuisance. Where I live yes, you are free to smoke yourself to death, but you have to contain your cigarette smoke to your unit or outside. \n\nPeople here are also signing petitions to prohibit smoking at all in their apartment buildings/condos. A fascist approach, yes, but they apparently feel it necessary to keep people's carcinogens outside of their own living spaces.
55466
While it is true that some bars are using the “membership” idea to get around the no smoking laws, there is another legal loophole.  The law allows bartenders that own their own bar and don’t have any other employees to allow smoking in their bars if they so choose.  This is how some bar allow smoking  indoors.
935683
You should contact your local health department. I do believe that in most states, the health department is charged with enforcement of non-smoking laws. \n\nBe sure to carry a small tape recorder with you after you complain. You can expect that there will be illegal retaliation against you.
357264
YES!  Smokers are discriminated against daily.\n\nBen Franklin once said : "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."\n\nSo, all you people who belive it is right to restrict the rights of others are out in left field.  If you do not like smoke, you should exercise YOUR freedom and choose an establishment that does not allow smoking.....the gov't shouldn't enact laws that make a business owner be non-smoking.  Where is the freedom in that?\n\nIn the words of HL Mencken:\n"I believe that liberty is the only genuinely valuable thing that men have invented, at least in the field of government, in a thousand years. I believe that it is better to be free than to be not free, even when the former is dangerous and the latter safe. I believe that the finest qualities of man can flourish only in free air – that progress made under the shadow of the policeman's club is false progress, and of no permanent value. I believe that any man who takes the liberty of another into his keeping is bound to become a tyrant, and that any man who yields up his liberty, in however slight the measure, is bound to become a slave."\n\nAlso, I am sure that most of you are familiar with the last part of this quote....the front of it is equally important.  Patrick Henry: "Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"\n\nAnd I think most importantly, Clarence Darrow stated it quite well..."You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man's freedom. You can only be free if I am free."  In other words....watch out.  If you let the gov't restrict my freedom, it will be knocking on your front door tomorrow - taking away your ability to do something that is dear to you!
421128
First off what does the lease say?  If it says only one person then they are violating the lease regardless of anything else.  \n\nSecond check the city laws.  This is generally where the most restrictive restrictions will be.  Either because of zoning, or more likely because of fire code issues.  \n\nLastly if neither of the above apply then you need to be concerned with state law, if there is any that applies, but I'm sure one of the two above is more important to the case then state law in why the landlord is telling them to move.
746685
Everyone has to provide identification to rent from someone. I did not hear that one yet, it is just as lame as the race card. Ignore whoever said that.
176774
I think technically, it sounds like U are being discriminated against. Although, there could be other reasons involved, too. Look at UR lease. Check if U have violated any other codes, that U know of, and contact an agency, if no other codes apply 2 U.
141937
I regularly discriminate against smokers, people that have bad credit, people that have poor rental history, and people that don't seem like they want to stay there a long time. \n\nThe fair housing act addresses discrimination and here is a sentence about it:\n\nProperty owners and managers are subject to the federal Fair Housing Act, which prohibits "any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make such preference, limitation or discrimination."
108973
yes,\nin america  employers are not allowed to discriminate against anyone for a medical reason.\nit is part of the americans with disablied act.
706721
I grew up in the 60s and 70s in a family that smoked and none of us, not even one of us has died or gone to hospital for smoking related illness.  There needs to be a compromise on this issue, but when the people with money and nothing better to do than try to force everyone to be like they are set an agenda, the rest of us pay.  Where I live, a ban on smoking was recently passed (by a 7% margin, by the way, out of only 30% of registered voters weighing in), because these whiny, holier-than-thou control freaks couldn't be happy that we already had an ordinance requiring restaurants to have separate smoking sections with separate ventilation systems.  Now all the restaurants that invested all  that money in those separate rooms and vent systems are going to have to give them up to these jerks.  Recent talk shows have aired the voices of business owners saying that their business has suffered from the bans, while cities around them report increases, as those of us who still appreciate the concept of a free country drive to less fascistic communities to dine out.  Restaurants are private businesses and if someone can't stand the chance of smelling cigarette smoke, they most certainly do not have to go into them.  This no compromise attitude is very un-American, in my opinion.  Sadly, people these days usually just roll over when new laws go through and they'll just say, "OK, you took that right from me, at least I can still smoke in my car and house."  I just wonder how long that will be true. Hail Oceania!
107089
You may want to check your employee hand book, or talk to a representative in your human resourse department.  But generally if the company has a smoking band in effect for the building and its property, you can be written up for smoking if your cigarette is not put out prior to stepping on company property.  It does not matter if you are on the clock or not, but simpily you are an employee of that company and you are responsible for not only knowing, but also understanding policies and procedures as well as their code of ethics on and off the job.  \nIn your question you mentioned that the employee was reentering the property to talk to a supervisor.  In that employees defence, the supervisor should have mentioned that there is no smoking on company property and asked that person to put out their cigarette.  If this did not happen then the supervisor can not write up an employee with out writting themself up for not giving atleast a warning first.\nAgain this follows company procedures, under the title of disciplinary actions.  Good luck fighting this.  Hope I helped.
489360
No this is not discrimination.  I have a friend who manages an apartment complex and yes people can get turned down for an apartment if they have a felony conviction on there record.  I was actually in her office when a prospective tenant was turned down over the phone because of a prior murder charge.  I asked her the same question you are asking and the reason they can do this is to protect the other tenants.  Also since it is hard for former convicted felons to find jobs it can be difficult to for them to pay their rent.  Keep in mind these apartment complexes provide the service of renting you a place to live for a price.  Just like any other business they have the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason.
401618
if you are renter, and not a owner there is nothing you can do, other than move. there are some non-smoking apartments, they are just a little harder to find.