Protecting Health: No-Smoking Policies in Housing
No-smoking policies in housing not only safeguard all residents and staff from secondhand smoke but also receive overwhelming satisfaction from landlords, as evidenced by a community survey in six upstate NY counties where 97% of policy-implementing landlords expressed contentment. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has mandated a nationwide prohibition on cigarettes, cigars, and pipes in all public housing units and common areas since July 31, 2018.
Promoting Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing
Ensuring clean, safe air in multi-unit housing is crucial as secondhand smoke from neighboring units poses health risks for all residents. Many providers of market-rate, luxury, senior, affordable, and public housing have adopted smoke-free policies to safeguard residents and staff. These policies not only prevent health conditions worsened by secondhand smoke but also reduce fire risks and maintenance costs associated with smoke residue.
Supporting Smoke-Free Policies Across NY State
Tobacco Free New York State” offers comprehensive, no-cost technical assistance and resources to facilitate the adoption of smoke-free policies in every county of New York State. Services include telephone, email, or in-person support, presentations, and sample policies, outreach materials, surveys, and timelines. Additionally, smoke-free signage is provided at no cost based on available funding. Locate smoke-free multi-unit properties in your area through the Smoke-Free Housing NY’s Housing Registry.
