Floridians living in standardized public housing may be breathing easier soon, as Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julian Castro has introduced a smoke-free policy in HUD-affiliated public housing authorities nationwide.

The Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida (BTFF), the state’s comprehensive tobacco prevention and cessation program, has been working to educate public and private housing managers about the benefits of smoke-free policies for over three years and is encouraged by this development.

“Smoke-free public housing is another step in the right direction to improve the health of children, adults and families who are disproportionately affected by tobacco,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “We also know that implementing smoke-free policies in multiunit housing produces benefits for the properties including reduced maintenance and turn-over costs, and fewer resident disputes related to smoking neighbors.”

The bureau’s list of multiunit properties that have enacted voluntary smoke-free policies has grown to more than 1,000 properties since tracking began in 2010. Public housing units have also been making the change.

Benefits of smoke-free buildings include:

• Better health. Smoke-free air laws decrease secondhand smoke exposure among nonsmokers, reduce heart attack and asthma hospitalizations and encourage smokers to quit.[i]
• Increased safety. Smoke-free policies reduce fire risks for residents, owners and property managers.[ii]
• Decreased secondhand smoke exposure. Secondhand smoke can travel from other units through doorways, cracks in walls, electrical lines, plumbing and ventilation systems.[iii]^,[iv]

The Winter Park Housing Authority (WPHA) Board of Commissioners established their smoke free policy in July 2015. The process will roll out over 2016 as residents sign a lease addendum with the new smoke free rules. The ultimate goal of the Winter Park Housing Authority is that all of its properties will have smoke-free interiors with severely limited outside smoking.

“Although there are many benefits, ranging from health improvements to maintenance savings, the most important factor is offering affordable property renters a healthy environment. Given that limitation and the fact that most people choose to be smoke-free, it made sense to make WPHA properties responsive to resident needs by going smoke-free,” said Executive Director for the Winter Park Housing Authority, Patricia A. Rice. “We also thought it essential to survey residents at the properties and make them partners if we are going to be successful.”

Smokers residing in HUD-affiliated public housing should be aware that it is difficult but not impossible to quit smoking. In fact, 63.5 percent of adults who have ever smoked have quit, and there are more former smokers in Florida than current smokers.[v] Having a comprehensive quit plan increases the success rate. Tobacco Free Florida offers 3 Ways to Quit, which are free and easy to access:

• CALL: Call Tobacco Free Florida at 1-877-U-CAN-NOW to speak with a Quit Coach® who will help you assess your addiction and help you create a personalized quit plan.
• CLICK: Tobacco Free Florida’s online cessation tool can be accessed at tobaccofreeflorida.com/webcoach.
• COME IN: In person help is available with the help of Area Health Education Centers, find one near you at tobaccofreeflorida.com/ahec