Smoke-Free in Multiunit Housing

Everyone deserves to breathe clean air, especially at home. If you live in multiunit housing, the best way to protect yourself and other residents from the dangers of secondhand smoke is to ensure that your building is completely smoke-free.

Smoke can seep from one unit into another through floorboards, light fixtures and windows. And although air filters and fresheners may mask the sight and smell of secondhand smoke, they do not remove the cancer-causing agents from the air, and therefore do not protect residents' health. Secondhand smoke causes a number of health issues, including lung cancer, heart disease, stroke and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and it is a known asthma trigger. Children are especially susceptible to these health concerns.

Take action today to ensure that your building is smoke-free. The Federal Housing Act requires building owners to make reasonable accommodations for people who have disabilities, which includes people who have asthma. Creating a smoke-free apartment building or condo is completely legal. Condo associations and building owners are allowed to create such rules because secondhand smoke is a serious health risk that will harm residents' lung health and prevent peaceful enjoyment of one's home.

It is important that building owners, board members and residents understand that secondhand smoke is a leading trigger for asthma attacks, and that multiunit housing must be livable for everyone. Because secondhand smoke poses an imminent threat to people who have lung disease and a creates a growing burden for other residents, there is no need to grandfather in such policies. By amending the bylaws or lease agreement, owners or board members alert residents of the changing policy, a policy that will reduce health and fire risks.

For steps to make your condo smoke-free, view our Smoke-free Condo fact sheet.

For more information about the benefits of smoke-free housing, visit our partner Americans for Non-smokers Rights.