Providence, Rhode Island's Smoke-Free Public Housing Policy Initiative: Lessons Learned

Providence, Rhode Island’s Smoke-Free Public Housing Policy Initiative: Lessons Learned, Barriers Overcome Audience: Tobacco control professionals who work in state tobacco control programs and function as tobacco control program managers, evaluators, community specialists, or policy analysts. Key Points: The City of Providence, Rhode Island together with diverse partners including the Providence Housing Authority (PHA) and Providence Community Health Centers, and with oversight by the State of Rhode Island Department of Health, received three million dollars in Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) funding to implement comprehensive tobacco control MAPPS strategies in the City of Providence. Through this grant the PHA passed a smoke-free policy in five high-rise buildings that serve over 1,000 elderly and disabled residents and accounts for 20% of the overall PHA resident population. Implementation of the smoke-free policy began in April of 2011 prohibiting residents and their guests from smoking in their apartments and interior common areas. Exterior smoking areas were designed for residents who smoke. With the policy’s implementation, residents were offered free, on-site smoking cessation sessions and Nicotine Replacement Therapy in the form of patches, gum, and lozenges. The smoking cessation resources were provided by the Providence Community Health Centers, a grant partner. Educational Experience: This poster presentation will share lessons learned and barriers overcome during policy passage and implementation. Benefits: those who wish to pass and implement similar policies in public housing will learn from the Providence Housing Authority’s experience.