FAQs About Smoke-Free Homes

Q2.  Does this mean that smokers can’t live there?

No.  Smoke-free housing policies restrict smoking – not smokers.  Residents and their guests must refrain from smoking indoors, but a smoke-free policy does not limit who can live in or visit an apartment or condominium.

Q3.  Is secondhand smoke really a big deal?

Yes.  Secondhand smoke contains over 4,000 chemical compounds – more than 50 of which are known to cause cancer in humans or animals.  There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.  Secondhand smoke causes asthma, upper respiratory infections, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).  Over 38,000 deaths annually in the U.S. are the result of secondhand smoke-related diseases.  Secondhand smoke can pass from one unit to another. Existing ventilation and air filtration systems are largely ineffective in preventing the seepage of secondhand smoke or removing the toxins in it.   (Various fact sheets from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and American Society for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning, www.ashrae.org)

Q4.  Aside from the health benefits, are there other advantages to smoke-free homes?
Yes!  Smoke-free policies save money and make buildings safer for property owners and tenants alike. 

You will dramatically reduce wear and tear and save on cleaning and re-painting costs.  According to a 2004 survey done by the Sanford Housing Authority in Maine, 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.  Smoke-free homes save homeowners and tenants money on furniture, paint, and cleaning.  The residue left behind by smoking contains toxins that devalues homes and health. 

You will also dramatically reduce the risk of fire in your home.  Smoking is the leading cause of household fires and the #1 cause of fire deaths in the United States, causing 1,000 deaths per year.  One in four people killed in home fires is not the smoker whose cigarette caused the fire.

• More than one third are children of the smokers. 
• 25% are neighbors or friends of the smokers.  (United States Fire Administration)

Q5.  How are smoke-free policies enforced?

“No Smoking” rules are enforced just as any other lease or condominium rule.  They are largely self-enforcing.  Landlords and property managers consistently report that enforcement is easy.  Violations, should they occur, are handled like any other lease or rule violation such as noise or pets.

Q6.  Is there anything I can do to get my landlord or condominium association to establish a smoke-free policy?

Yes!  Talk to your landlord, property manager or your condominium association about why you would like the building to be smoke-free.  There is a great deal of information and materials on this site to assist you in having an effective dialogue about this issue.  Talk to your neighbors and express your desire for smoke-free housing; if they share your views, urge them to also speak to the landlord, property manger or condominium association.  Many landlords and property managers would like to make their buildings smoke-free but worry about whether residents will be supportive.  Let them know you are!

Q7.  What can I do if my landlord or condominium association will not establish a smoke-free policy?

Despite the fact that there is no way to completely protect yourself and your family from secondhand smoke exposure if smoking is allowed in your building, you can take an important step by making your own home smoke-free.  Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Protection shows that 76% of those who live in Massachusetts have already done exactly that.  Click here to order smoke-free homes materials and click here to sign a smoke-free homes pledge.

Q8.  Is there help available for me or someone I know who is trying to quit smoking?
Yes!  Check out our website information on Smoking Cessation and Other Resources for lots of information about how you can quit smoking yourself or help someone you care about quit smoking.