Clearing the Air at Home: Policy Options for Smoke-free Housing

Audience: Tobacco control advocates, public health professionals, state and local health officials, and researchers interested in smoke-free policy development.

Key Points: (1) There is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke; (2) More than forty million Americans live in multiunit housing and roughly half report secondhand smoke infiltration from neighboring units; (3) Legislative action is needed because owners and managers mistakenly believe that smoke-free policies are illegal and fear losing residents by going smoke-free; (4) Smoke-free multiunit housing laws and regulations are legal and enforceable; (5) State and local (in most states) governments have the authority to implement smoke-free housing laws; and, (6) A growing number of jurisdictions have enacted smoke-free multiunit housing laws, with largely positive results (i.e. decreased overall smoking rates).

Educational Experience: Audience will learn through lecture and question and answer session.  Information will enable participants to engage with local and state health officials and policymakers on smoke-free multiunit housing policies.  

Benefits: As the concerns over secondhand smoke drift in multiunit housing grow, public health advocates and local and state policymakers need information on the legislative and regulatory options available.  Participants will emerge with a better understanding of the challenges facing smoke-free multiunit housing legislation, the policy options already enacted in various jurisdictions and the pros and cons of the various policy options.  andG
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�"P�!number of jurisdictions have enacted smoke-free multiunit housing laws, with largely positive results (i.e. decreased overall smoking rates).