Secondhand Smoke

In Multifamily Housing

WPSmokeFree.org

March 18, 2009

Secondhand Smoke in Multifamily Housing: Overview

✓ Secondhand smoke infiltrates 25% of non-smoker's apartments in Westchester on a regular basis.

✓ Secondhand "smokers" get more carcinogens than tobacco smokers!

✓ Second smoke can't be controlled by ventilating, air conditioning, or air cleaning systems.

✓ A smoke-free environment is the only way to protect against secondhand smoke.

Poll of Westchester Residents on Smoking

*41% have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lives.**Secondhand smoke intrusion reported by multifamily housing residents who don't permit smoking in their homes. Telephone poll of a random sample of 500 Westchester adults (34% in multifamily housing) onducted for the POW’R Against Tobacco Coalition by Blum & Weprin Associates, Inc. from July 24 to August 9, 2007. Sampling error +/-4.5%.

Proportion Who Smoke*• 10% of residents smoke• 7% daily• 3% occasionally Opinion on Secondhand Smoke• 69% say it is very harmful• 22% say it is somewhat harmful Smoking Banned By Choice• 78% of all homes• 87% of homes with children• 82% of family cars Secondhand Smoke Into Apartments**• 49% at some time• 25% at least a few times a week• 9% considered moving because of it

What you see (and smell) is smoke.

It's what you can't see that kills!

Did You Know? Concentrations of many cancer-causing and toxic chemicals are higher in secondhand smoke than in the smoke inhaled by smokers!

Secondhand Smoke Kills◉The Environmental Protection Agency

rates secondhand smoke a Class A carcinogen -- the most dangerous.

◉Over 38,000 Americans will die this year from lung cancer or heart disease attributable to secondhand smoke.

◉Secondhand smoke is particularly dangerous to developing fetuses, children, and the elderly, who are least able to recognize and escape it.

There is No Safe Amount of Secondhand Smoke

◉The Surgeon General says there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.

◉Just 5 minutes exposure constricts the aorta as much actually smoking a cigarette, reducing function, and stressing the heart.

◉Long after the air clears, toxic gases and particles -- third-hand smoke -- cling to clothing, walls, carpet and furniture.

If they smoke,

then you do, too.

As much as 60% of the air in an apartment may come from other

units.

Diamond RC, Feustel HE and Dickerhoff, DJ. 1996. "Ventilation and Infiltration in Highrise Apartment Buildings," Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, LBL Report LBL-38103.

There is No Reliable Way to Control Secondhand Smoke◉Separate non-smoking sections or

rooms don't work -- smoke travels in the air.

◉Heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems distribute and can't control secondhand smoke.

◉Conventional air cleaning systems can removelarge, odor causing particles, but not the smaller toxic particles andgases found in secondhand smoke.

A Smoke-Free Environment

Is The Only Protection

Going Smoke-Free◉Apartment by Apartment

◉Depends on smokers to help◉Building by Building

◉Legal for rental properties, public housing

◉Problematic for co-ops and condos◉City by City

◉Belmont, CA did it◉White Plains can do it, too!

Secondhand Smoke in Multifamily Housing: Summary

⇨It doesn't just smell. It kills!⇨Apartment dwellers can't

escape it.⇨Nothing can control it.⇨The only protection: ⇨The only practical way: City by

City.