PUBLIC HOUSING

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) adopted a rule that requires all Public Housing Agencies (PHA) to adopt and implement a smokefree policy for all of their public housing properties by July 31, 2018. See a statement on the HUD rule implementation from our sister site ANR.

PHAs and building managers are in good company and there are many helpful resources and recommendations to support the process of implementing a smokefree policy.

More than 600 PHAs in at least 46 states already implemented smokefree policies for public housing before HUD adopted their requirement. HUD’s rule is not a brand new idea, but rather it is a continuation of the existing policy trend to expand the availability of smokefree housing for residents living in all types of multi-unit properties. In fact, there are now more than 40 cities and counties that have local laws requiring smokefree air in all types of multi-unit housing, including affordable housing.

HUD’s rule will reduce secondhand smoke exposure and create a healthier and safer living environment for public housing residents by requiring all indoor areas of the properties to be smokefree, as well as within 25 feet of doors and on attached balconies and patios. The decision will help ensure that the 2 million people living in public housing have the ability to breathe smokefree air at home.

Below are resources to support PHAs and building managers with the process of implementing and enforcing a smokefree policy, as well as information for health departments and other health groups that are working to assist PHAs with their policy efforts.

STAND-ALONE HOUSES

It should come as no surprise that exposure to secondhand smoke at home is just as harmful as exposure in the workplace. Studies showing the level of nicotine in house dust and the effects of secondhand smoke exposure on children highlight  people should not be smoking in the home and that smoke-filled homes should be avoided by everyone. There are several steps that can be taken to ensure that your home remains smokefree, including letting all caregivers,  babysitters, and guests know that they are not to smoke in or around your home, and requesting any smokers who live in the house to smoke outdoors, away from entrances and windows.

See below for our “Resources for Residents”

ASSISTED LIVING, ELDER CARE, & NURSING HOMES

Assisted living facilities, nursing homes, adult care homes, and other long-term care facilities too often still allow smoking indoors, frequently in a designated smoking room for residents or patients.  Secondhand smoke cannot be contained in a smoking room, even if it has a separate ventilation system. The smoke can drift through the building and exposes other residents and staff members.  Also, staff who have to accompany smokers and clean the smoking rooms are exposed to both toxic secondhand and thirdhand smoke.

In order to improve the health and safety of residents and staff, assisted living facilities and other long-term care facilities should be 100% smokefree indoors. People are living in these facilities because they have serious health issues, are elderly, or are living with disabilities, which means these individuals are all particularly vulnerable to the health risks associated with secondhand smoke exposure.

As of October 1, 2019, 9 states plus Puerto Rico require all nursing homes to be 100% smokefree, as do nearly 350 municipalities and many individual facilities. You can learn more by viewing ANRF’s list of 100% Smokefree Nursing Homes.

• Secondhand smoke is particularly hazardous to elderly people, individuals with cardiovascular disease, and individuals with impaired respiratory function, including asthmatics and those with obstructive airway disease.
• Secondhand smoke exposure increases your risk of stroke by 20 – 30%.
• Breathing secondhand smoke increases your risk of having a heart attack.