80% of renters prefer smoke-free housing. Less than 1/3rd find it.

Why is this important?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, exposure to secondhand smoke (the smoke created from the lit end of a cigarette, cigar, pipe or other tobacco product) causes a variety of major health problems.

• Secondhand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including hundreds that are toxic and about 70 that can cause cancer.
• Tobacco smoke is the one of the most common triggers of asthma.
• Secondhand smoke causes heart disease. Even a short time in a smoky room has immediate harmful effects on the body. Breathing secondhand smoke makes it more likely that you will get heart disease‚ have a heart attack‚ and die early.
• Secondhand smoke can cause breathing problems‚ like coughing‚ extra phlegm‚ wheezing‚ and shortness of breath.
• Childrenwhoare exposed to secondhand smoke are at risk of major health issues that m

  

  ay last their lifetimes. Secondhand smoke causes SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) in babies.

• Pets exposed to secondhand smoke are significantly more likely to have oral cancers and cancer in their nasal passages.

CDC.gov

The costs of turning over a unit where smoking was allowed can cost upwards of $8,000!

Even with ventilation, there is no way to protect secondhand smoke from entering other units where it may cause harm to others.

The Alliance for Community Transformations can:

• Help you in the administration of tenant surveys or focus groups
• Provide educational materials about smoking and tobacco use for your tenants
• Assist with the creation of a transitional plan
• Assist in the training of staff to address questions or concerns for tenants
• Assist in procurement of signage
• Assist in the coordination of healthy activities for your properties
• Keep you in the know about tobacco and other substance use in Bennington County

For more information contact: Kiah Morris, Director, 802-442-0713 x 9

Click here for our downloadable documents*:

• Tenant Complaint Form
• Sample Letter to Tenants
• Sample Company Policy
• NCHH_Green_Factsheet_Smokefree
• Sample Smoking Policy Lease Addendum
• Sample Smoking Policy Scripts
• Vermont Smoking Laws
• Benefits of Smoke Free Housing Presentation – Rebecca Ryan, American Lung Association

 Click here for the video of the panel discussion featuring ACT Director, Kiah Morris,  Sr. Director of Policy, American Lung Association, Rebecca Ryan and Troy Richardson, Owner, Maple Leaf Realty; “Protecting Your Investment: How Smoking Policies Can Improve Your Rental Properties”

Additional Resources:

• American Lung Association: http://www.smokefreehousingvt.org / 1-800-LUNG-USA Opt. 1 ext 6860
• 802 Quits http://802quits.org/ 1-800-QUIT-NOW
• Quit in Person program, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (802) 447-5508
• Maple Leaf Realty: http://www.mapleleafvermont.com/ (802) 447-3210
• The Collaborative: http://thecollaborative.us/ (802) 824-4200
• Americans for Non-Smoker’s Rights: http://www.no-smoke.org/ (510) 841-3032

*Use of the information on this site should not be considered legal consultation. Be sure to check with your legal representation before taking any action regarding tenant relations and lease modifications.