NO SMOKING!

The election was held today............GO TRUMP!!!....oh, sorry wrong election. The Island Cove Condo Board of  Directors election, that is, was held today...we'll get to the nominees in another post. One thing that caught our attention was the addition of a proposed smoking ban which is to included our lanai area. Although Florida laws protect people from secondhand smoke at work and in restaurants, shops, and other places, many of our residents still find themselves exposed to unwanted secondhand smoke in their condos—especially since we live in multi-unit buildings. How many residents you ask....depends on WHO you ask...the main office says it ranges from 1 to 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 and the board replied "it's more then 1 but less then infinity." Anyway, where were we....In our condos, where each unit is owned separately, addressing this problem can be especially challenging. Owning a unit automatically means you are a member of the HOA, and any member of the HOA can begin the process of making a complex smoke-free..which is what happened today. We are not versed in the Florida statue regarding smoking bans but common sense would conclude lobbies, elevators, stairwells, clubhouses and other common areas can be designated smoke-free by the HOA. We also believe smoking may even be restricted in individual units, which would prohibit all current and future owners, renters, and guests from smoking there. A smoking restriction could include the “exclusive use” common areas such as balconies and lanais. So stop asking if they can implement this rule and start asking "how are they going to enforce it?" We are also not a defense attorney and since ignorance isn't a defense we thought we'd offer some "excuses" if you are caught smoking on your lanai. The most obvious excuse is I was standing at the threshold of my lanai and living room not in the lanai itself....victory for you,...or our personal favorite, "it was a small fire but we have it under control, thanks for your concern"......or "i was blowing out a candle"....be creative. If you have any others simply add them to the comment section. If you live on the first floor just stand on the concrete pad outside of your lanai door and blow that smoke like a chimney...and if you live above the first, just don't answer your door. To be honest, we would rather smell the sweet sent of a Tiparillo or a Cuban cigar then our neighbors Kielbasa and cabbage cooked in bacon drippings and seasoned with garlic, red pepper flakes and caraway seeds simmered in a creamy, mild sour cream sauce. Be aware however, we have heard the office is purchasing drones in an effort to enforce the smoking ban, if that happens, you're on your own.