Smoke-free Housing

A no-smoking policy does not exclude smokers; it protects the health of all residents and staff from harmful secondhand smoke.

According to a community survey of property owners in 6 upstate NY counties, 97% of landlords who have a no-smoking policy are satisfied with their decision.

As of July 31, 2018, the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) prohibits the use of cigarettes, cigars and pipes in all public housing units and common areas. 

Multi-Unit Housing and Smoke/Vapor

Everyone deserves to breathe clean, safe, smoke-free air in their homes

Unfortunately, for residents of apartments and other multi-unit housing, the decision to have a smoke- free home is not theirs alone. Secondhand smoke drifts from neighboring apartments, creating unhealthy living conditions for everyone in the building.

No smoking policies benefit both tenants and landlords.  An increasing number of market-rate, luxury, senior, affordable and public multi-unit housing providers are choosing to go smoke-free and realizing the benefits.

The benefits of adopting a smoke-free policy are numerous.  Smoke-free buildings help:

  • Protect the health of residents and staff, especially those with health conditions worsened by exposure to secondhand smoke.
  • Prevent smoking-material fires, a leading cause of fire in multi-unit housing and fire deaths in the U.S.
  • Save on maintenance costs and maintain property value.  The residue left behind by smoking contains toxins and requires extensive cleaning, re-painting and replacement of carpets and blinds.
  • Avoid potential lawsuits brought by residents exposed to unwanted secondhand smoke.
  • Attract tenants.  The majority (87.2%) of New York adults do not smoke.  Smokers and non-smokers alike understand the danger of exposure to secondhand smoke and prefer to live in smoke-free housing. 
  • Smoke-Free Housing Toolkit – Jan 2023

If you rent and are exposed to unwanted secondhand smoke or vapor from a neighboring tenant, you have the right to ask your landlord to protect you and your family.

Learn More
For more information on going smoke-free

Visit our statewide website, SmokeFreeHousingNY.org. 

This comprehensive site provides information and toolkits for Landlords and Property Owners, Tenants, and Condos/Co-Ops.

Connect with a partner in your county

Tobacco Free New York State provides free technical assistance and resources for adopting a smoke-free policy in every NYS county. Assistance includes:
-Telephone, email or in-person technical assistance, including presentations or information sessions.
-Sample policies, sample outreach materials including resident and staff surveys, and suggested timelines.
-No-cost smoke-free signage as funding permits.

Find smoke-free multi-unit properties in your area using the Smoke-Free Housing NY’s Housing Registry .

Your smoke-free community not listed on the registry? Email smokefreehousing@gmail.com to list your smoke-free multi-unit housing at no cost.