Smoking ban in U.S. public housing takes effect

Residents in public housing across the U.S. will no longer be allowed to smoke inside starting Tuesday.

A smoking ban from the Department of Housing and Urban Development prohibits the act inside any public housing buildings or within 25 feet of the entrances to those buildings. Local agencies can also designate additional smoke-free areas.

It was first announced about two years ago in November 2016, and agencies and residents were given until July 31 to comply with the new regulation.

According to HUD , the policy includes smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and water pipes. The goal is to reduce accidental fires caused by smoking and to curb secondhand smoke.