Addressing Emerging Smoke-Free Housing Issues 5-19-2015
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Transcript of Addressing Emerging Smoke-Free Housing Issues 5-19-2015
Smoke‐Free Housing: Addressing Emerging Issues
Maine Real Estate Management Association ConferenceMay 19, 2015
Who We Are: Smoke‐Free Housing Coalition
The Smoke‐Free Housing Coalition is a statewide initiative of the Breathe Easy Coalition of Maine,
working to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke in multi‐unit housing by encouraging and
supporting the adoption of strong, voluntary smoke‐free housing policies.
The work of the Smoke‐Free Housing Coalition of Maine is made possible though funding and
support from the Maine DHHS/CDC Partnership for a Tobacco‐Free Maine.
1. Introduction/Background
2. Case for Smoke‐Free Housing
3. Understanding Emerging Issues
4. Policy Adoption and Emerging Issue Inclusion
5. Resources Available
6. Questions and Discussion
Agenda for Session
Breathe Easy, You’re in Maine
Smoke‐Free Housing Policies in Maine:
◆ 100% Public Housing Authorities
◆ 65% Private Multi‐Unit Housing*
*Smoke‐Free Housing Coalition Commissioned Evaluation, 2014, Critical Insights
At least one building
In some units
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
At least one building In some units2014 65% 68%2011 45% 48%
2/3 of Maine Landlords Report Smoke‐Free Policies
Breathe Easy, You’re in Maine
Additional Smoke‐Free Housing Norm Changes in Maine:
◆ Low‐Incoming Housing Tax Credit Program – SFH Threshold Requirement
◆MaineHousingSearch.org SFH Designation
◆ Secondhand Smoke Policy Disclosure Law
What You Need to Know: Healthy Cost Savings
◆ Studies have shown that unit turnover costs are 5‐10 times more expensive when smoking is allowed in a unit.
◆ Some insurance companies will award discounts for comprehensive fire casualty plans for being smoke‐free.
What You Need to Know: Safe Buildings
◆ US Fire Administration reports: “While smoking‐related fires accounted for only 2% of all residential building fires, they were a leading cause of civilian fire deaths, accounting for 14% of fire deaths in residential buildings.”
◆ “If people smoked outside only, and extinguished their cigarette butts safely in water or sand, property owners’ risk of fire would be reduced significantly. They’d save thousands of dollars at turnover, and even more importantly, lives would be saved.” ~ Joseph E. Thomas, Maine Fire Marshal (2012)
What You Need to Know: Happier Tenants
◆ The majority of Maine MUH residents would prefer to live in a smoke‐free environment.
45
43
70
44
50
77
0 20 40 60 80 100
I would be comfortable renting anapartment in a complex where other
tenants are allowed to smoke
I would be willing to pay a little more inrent if it meant that I could live in asmoke‐free building or community
All things being equal, I would choose asmoke‐free rental house or apartment
over a place that allows smoking
Percent “Agree”
2014 2011
What You Need to Know: Healthy Buildings
◆ Smoke‐free policies are a healthy choice for your building and your residents. The US Surgeon General has repeatedly stated that “there is no risk‐free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.”
◆ Separating smokers from nonsmokers inside a building by using air filters and ventilation systems does not eliminate the harmful effects.
What You Need to Know: Healthy Buildings
◆ An emerging concern: thirdhand smoke◆What is it? The residual tobacco smoke
contamination that remains after a smoked tobacco product is extinguished.
◆Why the concern: Infants, children and nonsmoking adults are at risk for tobacco‐related health problems when they breathe air or ingest or touch materials contaminated by thirdhand smoke.
◆ Thirdhand smoke builds up over time and resists normal cleaning.
ASHRAE Definition of ETS
◆ ASHRAE has said that “the only means of effectively eliminating the health risks associated with indoor exposure is to ban smoking activity.”
◆ 2015 Addendum adds emissions produced by electronic smoking devices (electronic cigarettes) and cannabis (marijuana) to secondhand smoke definition.
Marijuana: What Do We Know?
From Maine’s MMUMA:
MMUMA states “…A landlord or business owner may prohibit the smoking of marijuana for medical proposes on the premises of the landlord or business if the landlord or business owner prohibits all smoking on the premises and posts notice to that effect on the premises.” 22 MRS §2423‐E(2). The Rules Governing the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program (the Rules) track this language. 10‐144 CMR Ch. 122, Section 2.3. In addition a person may not smoke marijuana on any form of public transportation or in any public place.22 MRS §2426(1)(c). (Emphasis added)
Two Useful Notices
◆ HUD Memo, re: Medical Marijuana Use in PHA and HCV
◆ Maine Attorney General Memo: Secondhand Smoke & Medical Marijuana
Marijuana: What Do We Know?
◆ In June 2002, a panel of experts brought together by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (an agency of the World Health Organization) determined that secondhand marijuana smoke causes cancer.
◆ A 2009 report by scientists for California’s Proposition 65 indicated that marijuana smoke and tobacco smoke share many characteristics with regard to chemical composition and toxicological activity. At least 33 individual constituents present in both marijuana smoke and tobacco smoke are Proposition 65 carcinogens.
Issue to Consider:
◆ How do you differentiate between medicinal use and recreational use?
Electronic Cigarettes: What We Know
◆ E‐cigarettes come in all shapes, colors, sizes. Most follow standard composition of a battery (either rechargeable or disposable), vaporizing chamber/atomizer and a cartridge.
◆ When a user inhales a sensor detects air flow and a microprocessor starts a process to heat liquid and vaporize it. The cartridge contains propylene glycol, liquid nicotine and flavoring. The combustion of the liquid produces a vapor mist that looks like smoke and delivers the nicotine to the user.
Things to Consider:
◆ Some e‐cigarette products look just like combustible cigarettes, we don’t know what is in the vapor, jury is out as a treatment device
Steps for Implementing a Smoke‐Free Policy
1. Make A Plan.
2. Adopt Policy Language.
3. Educate Residents and Staff.
4. Amend Leases.
5. Communicate Policy.
6. Implement and Enforce.
Smoke‐Free Policy Adoption: Make a Plan
◆ Things to consider:
When do you want to have your policy take effect?
Where will you restrict smoking? (indoors only, designated smoking areas, whole property, etc)
Do you want to survey residents or have you made your decision?
Review current lease requirements for notification components.
Tip: do not enter into long‐term grandfathering.
Smoke‐Free Policy Adoption: Develop a Policy
◆ Make policy language clear and consistent with how other policies are stated for your organization.
◆ Make sure the policy is structured in a way that is enforceable.
◆ The Smoke‐Free Housing Coalition of Maine has template language to assist your policy development!
Smoke‐Free Policy Adoption: Policy Components
◆ Purpose ‐ why develop a smoke‐free policy
◆ Definition ‐who does this effect and what are they being asked to do.
Be specific – if you want to address emerging issues, include them in your definition
◆ Procedures ‐how will this be
implemented
Enforcement
Support
Smoke‐Free Policy Adoption: Policy Components
◆ Definition Section: outline what this policy covers, what locations it covers and who is responsible for complying.
◆ Example language:
Smoking is prohibited in any indoor area of the property, both private and common. The policy applies to all owners, tenants, guests, and servicepersons. All smoking materials must be disposed up appropriately, whether in the trash or can provided.
Smoking: The term "Smoking" means inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted cigar, cigarette, electronic cigarette, marijuana, or other product in any manner or in any form.
Smoke‐Free Policy Adoption: Communicate Policy
◆ Communication is key to awareness, compliance and success!
◆ Sharing information in writing and in meetings will help get the message across. Include updates in newsletters, send educational reminders to residents, host meetings to answer questions.
◆ Post signage. Signs act as a consistent reminder of your policy to residents and their guests and will help support enforcement.
Smoke‐Free Policy Adoption: Implement & Enforce
◆ Be proud of being smoke‐free! Make the day your building goes smoke‐free a celebration with a kick‐off, this will set a positive tone and act as a reminder of the change.
◆ Be ready to enforce the policy from day one – there may be growing pains while dealing with this policy change but stay consistent with messaging.
Resources and Support from the Coalition
Free signage, window clings and other materials Sample smoke‐free leaseaddendums and policy language Fact sheets Implementation and enforcement tips Free technical assistance for adoption and implementation
Community Resources
Local Healthy Maine Partnerships Maine Tobacco HelpLine The Quit Link www.Maine.gov/HealthyHomes
Thank You!
For More Information:
www.SmokeFreeforME.org [email protected]
www.BreatheEasyMaine.org 207‐874‐8774
Connect with us on Social Media:
www.Facebook.com/BreatheEasyMaine
www.Twitter.com/BreatheEasyME