This new law expands /*Santa Monica*/'s smoking ban. It's already against the law there to smoke in common areas, such as a walkway or a courtyard.
The city wants to protect people living in multi-residential properties from second-hand smoke.
Landlords and homeowners associations are now required to post signs notifying residents of the new ordinance.
According to the /*Centers for Disease Control and Prevention*/, smoking kills 1,000 Americans a day. It is the number one preventable cause of death in the United States.
Some residents applaud the city's tougher /*smoking law*/.
"I don't think anyone should smoke. I know it's a habit, people get into it, but I think it helps detour people from even thinking about it if they can't do it at home, at work or at a restaurant. So I honestly think it's good for them and I don't like cigarette smoke so it's good for me," said resident Elaine Keller.
Santa Monica residents caught breaking the new law will have to pay a $100 fine for the first offense. The fine will double if smokers are caught a second time.
Despite smoking bans and tobacco taxes, the smoking rate nationwide is holding steady at one in five Americans-- that's about 46 million adults.
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