Can I deny a rental application because they smoke

[Matt Lawrence]

I own a house in Portland Oregon and I have an applicant that says they smoke but they’ll do it out side. We have posted we have a strict no smoking and no pets policy in our two unit building. Is it legal for me the landlord to deny a rental application due to the applicant admitting they smoke?

[Robert Rixer]

Smokers aren't a protected class haha. But you also don't owe them an explanation - in most cases its usually best just to tell them that unfortunately the application could not be approved and leave it at that.