Ottawa Public Health honours smoke-free condo

Posted Jan 26, 2012 By Kristy Wallace

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Somerset Ward Coun. Diane Holmes, left, chairwoman of the Ottawa Board of Health, and Kitchissippi Ward Coun. Katherine Hobbs awarded Domicile Developments for their new smoke-free condominium. John Doran, president of the development company, accepted the award.

Kristy Wallace, Ottawa West EMC

Somerset Ward Coun. Diane Holmes, left, chairwoman of the Ottawa Board of Health, and Kitchissippi Ward Coun. Katherine Hobbs awarded Domicile Developments for their new smoke-free condominium. John Doran, president of the development company, accepted the award.

EMC news - The first condo development in the city to prohibit smoking in its units has been honoured for its efforts in keeping smoke-free spaces for Ottawa residents.

As part of National Non-Smoking Week, Domicile Developments was awarded for its One3One Condominium project, an eight-storey tall development to be built at 131 Holland Ave.

"I want to recognize the work of public health staff and community partners to stop what has been the most difficult addiction to stop," said Somerset Coun. Diane Holmes, chairwoman of the Ottawa Board of Health. "Too many of our residents smoke ... we recognize the work that lays ahead of us, and we want to recognize our partners who are working with us."

John Doran, president of Domicile Developments, said the building will offer an incentive for people to quit.

"Of you're a smoker, you'll have to come down the elevator, and off the grounds to smoke," he said. "I think there's a part of this puzzle that will be positive for people who smoke."

In a previous interview with Metroland Media, commercial real estate, municipal and planning lawyer Michael Polowin said a condominium is unique and ultimately, a condominium can set its own rules through its declaration, which is a legal document made up initially by the developer.

It doesn't infringe on anyone's rights to have a smoke-free condo, he added.

According to the City Of Ottawa, smoke-free multi-unit swellings decrease the chance of fire hazards and reduce unit cleaning, painting and other smoking-related damage and maintenance costs.

For more information on smoke-free housing, visit: smokefreehousingon.ca .

kristy.wallace@metroland.com