70 Energy Savings Plus Health | INDOOR AIR QUALITY GUIDELINES FOR MULTIFAMILY BUILDING UPGRADES
SMOKE-FREE HOUSING
Goal
Explore establishing a smoke-free housing policy as part of the building upgrade. Smoking is the single greatest
cause of disease and premature death in the United States affecting smokers, and non-smokers through
secondhand smoke. It also contributes to occupant complaints related to odor and increases the operational cost
of the property.
Actions
• A detailed list of actions to implement smoke-free housing policies is provided in HUD's Change is in the Air: An
Action Guide for Establishing Smoke-Free Public Housing and Multifamily Properties and Smoke Free Housing:
A Toolkit for Owners/Management Agents of Federally Assisted Public and Multi-family Housing, and the NCHH's
Reasons to Explore Smoke-Free Housing. Several key steps are summarized here:
1. Work with the building owner or property manager to establish a smoke-free housing policy:
• Conduct an occupant survey of interest in smoke-free housing.
• Pending results of the survey, develop a plan to implement a smoke-free housing policy and establish suitable
areas outside of the building that can be used for smoking. Amend tenant leases to be consistent with smoke-
free policy.
• Occupant Education: Educate occupants on smoking policy in the building. Install signage and provide printed
material for visitors at the main entrances of the building with information about the smoke-free housing
policy.
• Enforce any smoke-free housing policy and related lease restrictions (see text box below).
Sample Smoke-Free Housing Policy
Effective [DATE], the use of all smoking products (cigarettes, cigars, pipes and electronic smoking devices) is prohibited on
[Property Name] property and within 25 feet of the building. This prohibition applies to all indoor and outdoor areas (dwell-
ing units, entry areas, walkways, grassed areas, picnic areas and parking lots at [Property Name] property). This policy
applies to all employees, visitors, residents, subcontractors, volunteers and vendors.
Sample Exception (for existing properties establishing a smoke-free policy)
Current residents who use smoking products that have entered into a lease agreement prior to [DATE] will be permitted to
continue to use tobacco products in their dwelling units for 12 months after the smoke-free policy is in effect. Therefore,
on [DATE], all units will be smoke-free and at that time all smokers will need to adhere to the set policy. This exception
shall not extend to visitors or anyone other than the lease holder/occupant.
Sample Lease Addendum Language
Include in the "Definitions" section of the lease:
Smoking: "Smoking" shall include the inhaling, exhaling, burning or carrying of any lighted cigarette, cigar or other tobacco
product; the emissions produced by electronic smoking devices; and the burning of cannabis or illegal substances.
Include in the restrictions section of the lease:
Smoking: Due to the increased risk of fire and the known health effects of secondhand smoke, smoking is prohibited in-
doors and within 25 feet of the residential building. This restriction applies to both private and common areas and applies
to all owners, tenants, guests and service persons.
Resources for Smoke-Free Housing:
National:
EPA: Secondhand Tobacco Smoke and the Health of Your Family
EPA: Smoke-free Homes
HUD: Change is in the Air: An Action Guide for Establishing Smoke-Free Public
Housing and Multifamily Properties
HUD: Optional Smoke-Free Housing Policy Implementation, Notice H 2010-21
HUD: Smoke-Free Housing: A Toolkit for Owners/Management Agents of Federally
Assisted Public and Multi-family Housing
HUD: Smoke-Free Housing: A Toolkit for Residents of Federally Assisted Public and
Multi-family Housing
NCHH: Reasons to Explore Smoke-Free Housing
TTAC: Tobacco Technical Assistance Consortium
State and Local:
Boston Smoke-Free Homes
Capital District (New York) Tobacco-Free Coalition
Michigan Smoke-Free Apartment
Minnesota Smoke-Free Housing
Smoke-Free Housing Coalition of Maine
