The Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island (TACLI) looks to expand smoke-free environments all over New York. TACLI is now providing free smoke-free housing resources and support for area landlords and property managers.
Despite New York State's Clean Indoor Air Act, Long Island residents living in multi-unit housing continue to be exposed to the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. Residents of apartment buildings are at risk of exposure to their neighbors’ secondhand smoke, a known carcinogen that easily infiltrates apartments and common areas through walls, ventilation systems, and cracks. This exposure poses serious health risks, including heart disease, lung cancer, stroke and respiratory illnesses.
Increasingly, market-rate, luxury, senior, affordable and public housing providers are adopting smoke-free policies for their multi-unit buildings. These policies help prevent health issues linked to secondhand smoke while also reducing fire hazards and costs associated with smoke residue. TACLI offers a free landlord toolkit and technical assistance for those considering a smoke-free multi-unit housing policy.
“We know that adults who don’t smoke or use tobacco products but are exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk of getting lung cancer by 20%-30%. Children are particularly vulnerable, facing increased risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), ear infections, and respiratory infections,” said Paulette Orlando, Tobacco Action Coalition of LI (TACLI).
There’s also the risk of exposure to third-hand smoke in multi-unit dwellings. Third-hand smoke occurs when tobacco smoke leaves residual nicotine and other chemicals on indoor surfaces, skin, pet fur, and furniture, even after the air has cleared.
Smoke-Free Policies in multi-unit dwellings are not a new concept. Many management companies across Long Island have successfully implemented Smoke-Free policies in their multi-unit dwellings. In doing so, they have experienced firsthand the positive benefits.
A smoke-free housing policy will:
- Protect public health: Reduce exposure to secondhand and thirdhand smoke and its associated health risks.
- Improve quality of life: Create healthier and safer living environments for all residents.
- Reduce fire hazards: Minimize the risk of fires caused by smoking materials.
- Reduce maintenance costs: Smoked in apartments require extensive cleaning, repainting and replacement of carpets and blinds.
- Promote equity: Address health disparities and ensure equal access to healthy living environments for all Long Island Residents.
For more information or request assistance about Smoke-Free Multi Unit Housing visit https://breathefreely.org/
For help quitting smoking or vaping, including free nicotine replacement therapy for eligible residents, individuals can contact a healthcare provider, call the New York State Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS, or visit www.nysmokefree.com.
The American Lung Association also has resources available to anyone who wants to quit tobacco - including information for kids and teens - at lung.org/quit-smoking. Effective medications and counseling are covered by Medicaid and most insurance programs.
The Tobacco Action Coalition of LI is one of 21 Advancing Tobacco Free Communities’ grants funded by the NYS DOH’s Bureau of Tobacco Control and administered by the American Lung Association.