Smoke-Free Apartments in Housing Commission Buildings: Steps to Take

Key Points to be Covered Steps you can take to adopt a smoke- free policy Housing authorities/commissions have adopted smoke-free apartment policies in Michigan and in other states; so have many private landlords Resources available to assist you

Steps to Take to Adopt a Smoke-Free Policy 1)Survey Residents: a) Determine which units have smoking & nonsmoking tenants. b) Ask tenants if they would like to live in a smoke-free building, and identify which buildings have the most tenants who want a smoke-free policy. c) Evaluate tenants’ overall views about exposure to secondhand smoke.

Steps to Take to Adopt a Smoke-Free Policy 2) Develop a plan of action: a) Hold a meeting of all tenants to discuss the survey results and to discuss plans to establish a smoke-free policy in some or all buildings. b) Use the meeting to do a presentation on the health hazards of secondhand smoke. c) Select the building(s) that will implement the smoke-free policy first, and select the timing for the policy and what the grandfather period will be.

Steps to Take to Adopt a Smoke-Free Policy 3)Establish date for Housing Commission Board to discuss and vote on policy: a) Discuss policy with Commission members and determine their views. b) If a majority of Commissioners support smoke-free policy, set date for Board meeting. c) Notify all tenants of Board meeting and intention to discuss and vote on smoke-free policy, following tenant comment period.

Steps to Take to Adopt a Smoke-Free Policy 4) Adopt and implement policy: a) Following tenant and other discussions, vote to adopt smoke-free apartment policy. b) In policy, decide on the length of the “grandfather”period for current smokers. c) In policy, decide whether there will be an outside designated smoking area and where. d) Establish time frame for implementation and notify all tenants.

Steps to Take to Adopt a Smoke-Free Policy 4) Adopt and implement policy: continued e) Include the policy in the “house rules”. f) Post the policy in common areas. g) Hold smoking cessation meetings for smokers. h) Work with tenants to handle complaints as they arise. i) Give violators a set number of warnings prior to starting the eviction process.

You Have Resources SFELP is available to assist you with: Consultations throughout the process of adopting a smoke-free policy; at no cost to you. Written analyses of the policy and legal issues. Research on what has been done elsewhere. Setting up conference calls with other housing directors who have adopted smoke-free policies. In-person presentations. Drafting a smoke-free policy. Assistance on implementation issues.

Housing Commissions Have Adopted Smoke-Free Policies Housing Authorities/Commissions elsewhere have adopted smoke-free policies, including in: Seattle, WA; Auburn, ME; Cloquet, MN; Fort Pierce, FL; Kearney, NE; Madera, CA; Ocean City, NJ; Sanford, ME; Santa Barbara, CA; Cadillac, MI; and Plymouth, MI. Others are considering doing so.

You Have Resources Online MISmokeFreeApartment web site: Smoke-free Environments Law Project site: SFELP Apartments/Condos site:

To contact SFELP Smoke-Free Environments Law Project Phone: Smoke-Free Environments Law Project The Center for Social Gerontology, Inc Shelby Avenue Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103

Smoke-free Apartment Decal

Smoke-free apartment listing mismokefreeapartment.org web site includes a listing of smoke-free apartments: SFELP has compiled the list of smoke- free apartments in coordination with local tobacco reduction coalitions, health departments, apartment associations, & others

Smoke-free apartment listing site