Arming multi-unit housing tenants with smoke-free policy advocacy tools

Audience:

Tobacco control staff, particularly those new to smoke-free housing

Key Points:

The San Mateo County Tobacco Prevention Program (TPP) smoke-free housing advocacy campaign includes smoke-free housing advertising, outreach efforts to educate housing providers, and utilization of tenant and landlord smoke-free housing survey data to inform the effort.

Outreach efforts have led to an increase in calls for technical assistance. Staff guide callers through a step-by-step process they can follow to encourage their landlord to adopt a voluntary smoke-free policy in their housing complex and potentially even leading to citywide smoking protections.

Educational Experience:

The TPP has developed a variety of tools (to be shared in the session), including phone call screening forms to standardize information collected from callers; a phone call tracking form that can be utilized to mobilize tenants for future local smoke-free housing concerns; sample letters sent to residents, landlords, smokers, and city staff; website resources on smoke-free housing; a local smoke-free housing fact sheet for landlords; public opinion surveys for tenants and landlords; and other materials to support tenants in advocating for smoke-free homes.  

Benefits:

The program has encountered several best practices related to supporting tenants, including:

-Developing and communicating a stepwise advocacy process for tenants to resolve their issue.

-Directing correspondence to elected officials to ensure these leaders are aware of this local issue.

-Tracking calls closely to be able to mobilize callers for future smoke-free housing advocacy opportunities.

-Directing callers to the TPP website to access additional advocacy tools and resources.