New Law Lets Landlords Ban Smoking

California renters might soon face new smoking rules after Gov. Jerry Brown Wednesday signed a bill that would allow landlords to ban smoking in apartments and other rental units.

The law goes into effect on Jan. 1.

"With the Governor’s action today, we will see the availability of smoke-free, multi-family housing grow throughout California," said state Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Pacoima, who authored the measure, in a statement Wednesday. "This new law will provide tenants with healthier choices."

While landlords can restrict pets, noise and specific furniture, such as waterbeds, there is nothing in current law that allows a landlord to restrict smoking.

"We know that second-hand smoke is harmful. With this new law renters will have much greater chance of finding a smoke-free environment in which to live," Padilla said. "This new law will provide tenants with healthier choices."