Apartments

The goal of a smoke-free policy in an apartment complex is to remove the risk of secondhand smoke. Smoking in one apartment can have negative effects on the health of others nearby. Tobacco smoke enters apartments through open windows, porches, stair wells, and ventilation systems. Smoke-free apartments make economic, legal, and scientific sense.

Steps for Success:

• Study the science that supports smoke-free apartments units. You can visit smokefreeapartments.org to learn more.

• Record the cause and amount of secondhand smoke.

• Find out who makes the decisions for the apartment unit. (e.g. local managers, local or out of-state real estate firms, the city councils or county supervisors).

• Check leases for information about noise or smell from a neighbor.

• Offer to meet with those who can make decisions. Provide them with information about secondhand smoke.

• Ensure that the managers are aware of the Americans with Disabilities Act and how it applies to residents, visitors or employees.

• Provide a list of other apartments in the state and nation that have smoke-free policies.

• Work with youth and adults who live in the apartment complex to present a petition supporting a smoke-free policy.

• Ask the city council to issue a resolution positively recognizing those apartment units that offer smoke-free units.

• Consider using media advocacy to affect the policy change, including a press release. Consider the rights of nonsmokers to rent in a unit that is smoke-free and the fact that most people are nonsmokers.

• Focus on the policy change and not the behaviora smoke-free unit rather than the smoker.

• Consider positive incentives, such as attracting more tenants by offering smoke-free units or moving expenses for those tenants who have to switch buildings.