In addition to reducing the well-known health risks of exposure to first and secondhand smoke, going smoke-free can dramatically reduce turnover costs in your units. If your property is considering joining this growing movement, check out these helpful resources:

• The American Heart Association and National Cancer Society have helpful articles about first and secondhand smoke and the health risks associated with each.
• In December 2007, the National Apartment Association’s publication, UNITS, published an issue called “Clearing the Air” that was dedicated to an industry-wide discussion of the smoke-free trend. To read the issue online, click here.
• In addition to detailing the harmful effects of smoking, this guide by the Center for Disease Control also outlines the bottom-line benefits for businesses that decide to implement a smoke-free policy.
  • Did you know that smoke-free businesses have negotiated for lower fire and property insurance premiums, with some businesses winning reductions of 25–30 percent? (HealthNowMA)
   
• The National Center for Healthy Housing published a Green FactSheet for property owners, landlords and property managers who are interested in exploring a smoke-free policy for their multi-unit buildings
  • Did you know that it costs more that 6 times the amount to turn over a nonsmoking unit to rehabilitate a unit that was heavily smoked in? (Smoke-Free Housing New England)
   
• The Department of Housing and Urban Development recently released a smoke-free toolkit for property owners that include a sample resident survey and information to implement a no-smoking policy.
• Although managed in California, the Smoke Free Apartment House Registry contains listings from all across the nation that have chosen to go smoke-free and also has helpful resources and a sample smoke-free policy.
  • Did you know that Craigslist lists non-smoking units?
   

If you have any questions about HAA's legislative activities, please contact the Public Affairs Department.