Smoke free policies urged for public housing authorities
Though it’s not a mandate, there are incentives for public housing authorities that kick the butts. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development issued a memo July 17 “strongly encouraging” all public housing authorities to implement non-smoking policies.
Karen Blumenfeld, executive director of Global Advisors on Smokefree Policy (GASP), said she has spoken with several housing authorities, some of which have made the transition to being completely smoke-free, and some that are having its tenants kick the habit gradually.
In Summit, N.J., where GASP is based, the housing authorities in Summit and Madison have a smoke-free policy for the units that currently house non-smokers, and for the units where there are smokers, when the smokers leave, the units will become smoke free.
Blumenthal acknowledges the obvious health benefits to living in a smoke-free environment, but adds that housing authorities that become smoke free may have an easier time obtaining federal stimulus grant money.
According to Blumenfeld, housing authorities are awarded a point that goes toward their grant applications if they are smoke free. Points are also awarded for things like having an environmentally-friendly building.
“I have spoken with several housing authorities that were not aware of [the points] and [they] were very enthusiastic and excited to see that these policies carry these incentives,” she said.
There are over 100 housing authorities in the state, Blumenthal said, and she estimates that 10 percent of the tenants who live in housing authority properties in the state are smokers. She said she hasn’t heard of any opposition regarding any proposed smoke-free buildings, adding that 70 percent of smokers want to quit.
Though there are no direct sanctions for not going smoke free, or even not encouraging a smoke-free buildings, Blumenfeld said the policy is in the housing authorities’ best interest. She notes the markedly higher cost of turning over an apartment that used to house a tenant who smoked, as it’s not just applying a second coat of paint. She said the authorities may have to wash the walls, and remove everything from carpet, to light fixtures, to refrigerators, as the door seal may have absorbed smoke. In addition to repairs, she said the buildings which allow smoking may see higher insurance premiums.
“It’s a huge, big encouragement for housing authorities to implement these changes,” she said.
Bonnie Marcus, of the Burlington County Community Partnerships for a Tobacco Free New Jersey, said she has been reaching out to all apartment complexes in the county, not just public housing authority units, and mentioned the negative effects of having smoke travel through an apartment’s ventilation system.
So far the reaction has been good.
“People actually want information regarding quitting and smoking cessation,” Marcus said. “It’s affecting all the people that live there, and not just the smoke, but the cigarette butts that are affecting the environment” Ultimately, the decision to quit is solely that of the smoker, she said, adding that there are free resources to help make it easier for the smoker.
For more information, visit www.nj.quitnet.com.
Karen Blumenfeld, executive director of Global Advisors on Smokefree Policy (GASP), said she has spoken with several housing authorities, some of which have made the transition to being completely smoke-free, and some that are having its tenants kick the habit gradually.
In Summit, N.J., where GASP is based, the housing authorities in Summit and Madison have a smoke-free policy for the units that currently house non-smokers, and for the units where there are smokers, when the smokers leave, the units will become smoke free.
Blumenthal acknowledges the obvious health benefits to living in a smoke-free environment, but adds that housing authorities that become smoke free may have an easier time obtaining federal stimulus grant money.
According to Blumenfeld, housing authorities are awarded a point that goes toward their grant applications if they are smoke free. Points are also awarded for things like having an environmentally-friendly building.
“I have spoken with several housing authorities that were not aware of [the points] and [they] were very enthusiastic and excited to see that these policies carry these incentives,” she said.
There are over 100 housing authorities in the state, Blumenthal said, and she estimates that 10 percent of the tenants who live in housing authority properties in the state are smokers. She said she hasn’t heard of any opposition regarding any proposed smoke-free buildings, adding that 70 percent of smokers want to quit.
Though there are no direct sanctions for not going smoke free, or even not encouraging a smoke-free buildings, Blumenfeld said the policy is in the housing authorities’ best interest. She notes the markedly higher cost of turning over an apartment that used to house a tenant who smoked, as it’s not just applying a second coat of paint. She said the authorities may have to wash the walls, and remove everything from carpet, to light fixtures, to refrigerators, as the door seal may have absorbed smoke. In addition to repairs, she said the buildings which allow smoking may see higher insurance premiums.
“It’s a huge, big encouragement for housing authorities to implement these changes,” she said.
Bonnie Marcus, of the Burlington County Community Partnerships for a Tobacco Free New Jersey, said she has been reaching out to all apartment complexes in the county, not just public housing authority units, and mentioned the negative effects of having smoke travel through an apartment’s ventilation system.
So far the reaction has been good.
“People actually want information regarding quitting and smoking cessation,” Marcus said. “It’s affecting all the people that live there, and not just the smoke, but the cigarette butts that are affecting the environment” Ultimately, the decision to quit is solely that of the smoker, she said, adding that there are free resources to help make it easier for the smoker.
For more information, visit www.nj.quitnet.com.
