It's my way or the highway when it comes to smoking anywhere on Rota Villa property.

Evelyn Wilson, a Rota Villa resident, says a recent AGM resolution has forced smoking residents to stand out on the street if they want to smoke.

"I think it is terrible they have banned us to the highway," said Wilson of the resolution which forbids smokers to smoke anywhere on the property.

Wilson, a senior who has been a Rota Villa resident off and on for six years says that when she first moved to the seniors' housing complex smoking was accepted, even in the units.

But, as times changed and society's views on smoking changed, residents who stilled smoked were forced to smoke outside.

Wilson said she accepted that, however, the most recent ban is more than she can take.

"I'd like to see us not having to go on the highway. What's going to happen in the winter? There aren't those many of us who smoke anymore, and this is enough to make it a hardship," she said.

What was particularly galling to Wilson is that residents were asked to sign an agreement stating that they wouldn't smoke on Rota Villa property. Wilson said she did sign the agreement, but did so under duress, believing that she could find herself without a home should she refuse to do so.

Leo Plamondon, chair of Rota Villa Society, said that's just not the case.

"We're not kicking anybody out. We never forced anyone to sign this piece of paper," Plamondon said.

"We want to be a happy family down here," he added.

Plamondon did say, however, that should residents smoke on the property, they can expect consequences of some sort.

"If they don't abide by the agreement, the board will deal with it."

According to Plamondon, the board was caught between a rock and a hard place. "We have lots more residents who complain about the smoking, than those who complain about having to smoke off the property," Plamondon said.

In fact, said Plamondon, it was the residents who voted for the smoking resolution after having to endure cigarette smoke wafting through their open windows.

Plamondon said although the rule is now in place, the board is willing to listen to the smokers' concerns.

"They can write a letter. We're open to what they have to say," Plamondon added.