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Semelhante a Smoke Free Housing Presentation
Semelhante a Smoke Free Housing Presentation (20)
Smoke Free Housing Presentation
- 1. Smoke-Free Housing Provided By: Tobacco Use Prevention Program Staff at Sedgwick County Health Department
- 2. "Currently, the only way to effectively eliminate health risk associated with indoor exposure is to ban smoking activity." American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers
- 22. Becky Tuttle Hilary Meister 660-7251 660-7198 [email_address] [email_address]
Notas do Editor
- Approximately 53,000 people die annually from diseases caused by secondhand smoke, with hundreds of thousands more suffering ill effects from exposure. Multi-unit dwellings present a particular challenge for dealing with this significant health and nuisance problem. Tobacco smoke from one unit may seep through cracks, be circulated by a shared ventilation system, or otherwise enter the living space of another. You may wonder what you can do to mitigate some of these problems. The following information should help guide you to an informed decision about what corrective actions to take.
- As a landlord, you can play a role in eliminating a significant cause of illness in the home and a major cause of preventable death in the United States: secondhand smoke. There is so much false information available to landlords about smoke-free policies, that you may find it difficult to make an informed decision.
- 80% of Wichitans are non smokers and with the economic down-turn, more “middle class” folks might be interested in multi-family housing option, but if they stink, many will not rent from them.
- In fact, non-smokers with serious breathing disabilities or smoke allergies actually have legal protection under federal and state laws. The right to smoke is not protected under law, according to the opinion of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As long as the policy is not used to target a protected class or minority, a building manager is legally free to restrict or prohibit smoking. Let us tell you more about smoking myths vs. reality, landlords' rights and your risks. We'll also show you how to save money, save your building, and give you tools for going smoke-free in your building.
- Reality: Actually, you can save money by implementing a smoke-free policy. You will reduce wear and tear, and save on cleaning and re-painting costs. According to a 2004 survey done by the Sanford Housing Authority, it costs twice as much or more to turn over a unit in which the resident had smoked compared with one rented by a non-smoker. You may also save money by reducing the risk of fire. In the U.S. in 2002, an estimated $926 million in damages occurred in apartment fires - of which cigarette smoking is the leading cause. (Source: NFPA Fire Analysis and Research; Fire Loss in the U.S. During 2002). Some insurance carriers also offer a premium reduction if your property is smoke-free.
- Reality: In Maine, 90% of voters agree that people should be protected from secondhand smoke. According to recent surveys conducted in Maine, nearly 75% of renters would prefer to live in smoke-free apartments. Surveys taken in other parts of the country show a similar preference for smoke-free apartments. For example, in a 2003 survey in Washington state, two-thirds of renters surveyed preferred smoke-free housing. Seventy-five percent of Michigan renters do not smoke; currently most cannot find smoke-free apartments to rent. We can show you how to go smoke-free while keeping your existing smoking tenants happy too. (Source: Various surveys; click here to see surveys .)
- Reality: Once you implement a policy, smoking will be so noticeable that you are likely to hear about it from other residents. Enforcing a smoking policy is a lot less of a headache than mediating disputes between smokers and non-smokers without a policy in place. You must be prepared to follow through with consequences; for example, two warnings, then termination of the lease. Now that you know the facts, you may be ready for planning and communication tools that make going smoke-free easier.
- When the website changes to feature smoke-free housing, we will issue a press release!