Engaging Landlords, Builders & Managers in the Invasive Second-Hand Smoke Debate 5th National Conference on Tobacco or Health “Smoke Free: A World of Difference” Monday, October 1,2007 Edmonton, Alberta

2 Council for a Tobacco-Free Toronto CTFT is: –A citywide coalition of community members working to prevent and reduce tobacco use and advocate for a smoke- free society –Funded by and a member of the Ontario Tobacco-Free Network (OTN) –A member of the Toronto Tobacco Control Area Network (TCAN)

3 Some Past CTFT Activities

4 Scope of the Problem Canadians spend a large portion of their time indoors at home Nearly ½ of Ontarians in multi-unit dwellings experience second-hand smoke invading their home (Ipsos Reid, 2007) Population of Toronto: 2,503,281 (2006) –950,000 Household Dwellings 1 / 3 to ½ of Torontonians rent (Census 2001) Condominium ownership in high-rise structures is dramatically growing in Toronto

5 Current Legislation To date, provincial and municipal legislation eliminating exposure to second- hand smoke has targeted other locations –schools, workplaces, places of entertainment and public places Little attention has been paid to exposure at home

6 The Challenge Addressing the problem of invasive second-hand smoke without legislation –Collaborating to create awareness –Collaborating to create choices –Collaborating to create solutions

7 Coming up with a Plan To deliver the message: “Protect yourself and your family from invasive second- hand smoke” –Create social marketing messages –Inform people of their rights and obligations –Suggest strategies, options and resources Engage the services of a consulting firm

8 The Strategy Focus on 2 audiences Primary Audience - builders, owners, landlords and managers of multi-unit dwellings Inform of their rights Clear up myths and misconceptions Identify benefits and advantages Offer resources and support Secondary Audience - tenants, condo owners, and their organizations Inform of their rights Educate about the health risks Offer resources and support

9 The Strategy – Primary Audience Builders, Owners, Landlords and Managers of multi-unit dwellings Largely unaware of the issue Main concern is loss of market by narrowing the range of prospective tenants/buyers. Unaware of their legal rights Hold myths and misconceptions Unaware of resources and support available

10 Builders, Owners, Landlords and Managers of multi-unit dwellings Interested in hearing more Interested in working cooperatively with health community Interested in meeting the needs and demands of renters and buyers The Strategy – Primary Audience

11 Builders, Owners, Landlords and Managers of multi-unit dwellings 1.Directly –engage them in friendly interaction through their own associations. 2.Co-operatively –inform them through their own credible media The Strategy – Phase 1 cont’d

12 The Strategy – Phase 1 cont’d Builders, Owners, Landlords and Managers of multi-unit dwellings –Contracted consultant services to: a)Build relationships with initial Builders, Owners, Landlords and Managers contacts b)Develop media (articles, surveys, quizzes, websites, pamphlets, etc) cooperatively with Builders, Owners, Landlords and Managers

13 Builders, Owners, Landlords and Managers of multi-unit dwellings –Relationship development with several organizations –Information materials developed and distributed to contacts and shared with their membership “What’s all the fuss about second-hand cigarette smoke?” Quiz “The Business Case for Going Smoke-Free” The Strategy – Phase 1 cont’d

14 Business Case Facts It is legal to totally ban smoking in a building A smoking ban is not a human-rights issue Ventilation systems do not eliminate second- hand smoke Multi-unit residences have gone smoke-free with real marketing success Going smoke-free saves money There is a large and growing market for smoke-free residences

15 The Strategy – Secondary Audience Tenants, Condo Owners, and their Organizations Largely silent on the issue (suffering in silence) Main concern is loss of housing Unaware of their legal rights Myths and misconceptions Unaware of resources and support available

16 Tenants, Condo Owners, and their Organizations Much of the available information is aimed at tenants and tenant rights Tenant organizations focused on different priorities – concerns about evictions Initial contacts with representing organizations indicate –Less interest in hearing more –Less interest in working cooperatively with health community The Strategy – Secondary Audience

17 The Strategy – Secondary Audience Educating and Engaging interested tenants by distributing the pamphlet “Concerned about Tobacco Smoke Drifting into Your Apartment or Condominium?” –Health Agencies –Health Units in other areas of the province (Durham, Peterborough, etc) –Toronto “Y” locations –Individuals who request single or multiple copies –Other venues for us to consider ?

18 Next Steps Builders, Owners, Landlords and Managers of multi-unit dwellings –Website and links are planned –Media articles and displays are planned –Maintain ongoing contact Tenants, Condo Owners, and their Organizations –Continue to distribute pamphlets Toronto Community Health Centres Collaborate with other Local Tobacco Councils

19 What Can You Do? Get involved & build momentum –Join the National Coalition –Create demand by asking for smoke-free housing –Direct complaints to tenant and condo associations in order to get the issue on their radar –Use or contribute to further development of the Business Case

20 Thank You Judy Myrvold, Chair Council for a Tobacco-Free Toronto