Misawa adds more smoke-free housing

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan — Misawa officials said last week that they’ve added additional types of family housing — including recently renovated townhouses and "H-style" units — to those going smoke-free.

The newest editions, unlike towers already covered by the smoke-free policy implemented May 1, do not have shared heating and air condition systems.

Michael A. Reese, the chief capital asset manager for the 35th Civil Engineers Squadron at Misawa, said the goal is to make all 795 dorm rooms and 1,245 of the 2,241 family units smoke-free.

Reese said there have been complaints about smoking in the towers since the ban went into effect and housing officials have dealt with each case. No punitive measures were taken, he added.

Smoking areas have been designated outside of the housing towers and dormitories, but not in other family housing areas. There, Reese said, residents can smoke outside their housing units — in their yards, for example — unless neighbors complain.

In that case, Reese said, they’ll be told that the nonsmokers’ rights prevail and they’ll have to find another place to smoke.

Officials say they’ve fielded no formal complaints from townhouse residents.

As new troops arrive, they’ll be given the option of choosing housing where smoking is allowed, if such units are available. But they won’t be able to turn down housing if only smoke-free units are available, Reese said.