07/10/08
Washington State Department of Health Launches New Secondhand Smoke Web Site
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In June, the Washington State Department of Health launched SmokeFreeWashington.com, a new online resource for issues related to secondhand smoke. The site is part of an ongoing effort by the Department of Health to promote awareness of the harmful effects of secondhand smoke and provide people with the tools they need to protect themselves and their loved ones.
The new site also reflects the ways in which secondhand smoke issues have evolved in Washington state. Since the 2005 implementation of the Smoking in Public Places law, Washingtonians have been protected in all in public places and workplaces, including bars and restaurants. Today there is a new trend emerging to protect people from secondhand smoke: smoke-free multi-unit housing.
SmokeFreeWashington.com is a resource that can help tenants dealing with secondhand smoke in their apartment communities find solutions to help protect their health and the health of their families. The “Apartments and Condos” section of the site provides substantive information on the health effects of secondhand smoke, background on the benefits of smoke-free multi-unit housing, and important information to help tenants communicate with their landlords about adopting a smoke-free policy.
The site also offers downloadable tools for landlords and owners considering a smoke-free policy. Tools include tips on how to communicate the new policy to tenants and sample language for lease addendums.
For the last several years, smoke-free multi-unit housing has been on the rise across Washington state and the nation. Several housing authorities in Washington have implemented smoke-free policies for some or all of their buildings, including the Walla Walla Housing Authority and the King County Housing Authority. In 2007, Guardian Management — a real-estate investment and management firm based in seven states (including Washington) — prohibited smoking in approximately 8,000 of its conventional and affordable housing units.
Landlords and property managers who have already transitioned to a smoke-free policy are often quick to acknowledge its benefits. Jim Wiard, Vice President of Property Management at Guardian Management, says, “In addition to the health benefits, we can now provide tenants with a cleaner, better maintained apartment home with a reduced risk of fire.”
Here in Washington, the market demand for smoke-free housing is clear. About 85 percent of tenants surveyed in 2006 responded that they would prefer smoke-free housing – including over half of smokers. And of owners who offer some form of smoke-free policy, more than 90 percent say the policy has had no effect on tenant turnover rates, vacancy rates and rent charges. But it’s the many benefits that come along with the decision to go smoke-free that adds incentive for many landlords and owners.
For example, some landlords and apartment restoration companies have estimated that it can cost an additional $1,000 or more to turn over a unit that has been smoked in as compared to a non-smoking unit. Between yellow walls, burn holes, and persistent odors, cleaning up after a smoking tenant is time-consuming and costly. Smoke-free policies also reduce the risk of residential fires and help landlords avoid the liability associated with renting a property that’s not smoke-free to a tenant with a serious breathing disability or smoke allergy.
Beyond multi-unit housing, SmokeFreeWashington.com provides a broad range of information for anyone interested in learning more about secondhand smoke. The site includes information on smoke-free cars and parks, as well as more detailed information on the Smoking in Public Places Law. Visitors to the site can report a violation of the law by visiting their county’s contact page, or learn more about local smoke-free policies in their area.
In 2006, the Surgeon General released a landmark report on the health consequences of exposure to tobacco smoke. The report concluded that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, a toxic substance associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease and lung cancer. Today, with the right information and tools, people can make choices in order to breathe easier and live longer. Visit SmokeFreeWashington.com to find the resources to protect the health of tenants and create healthier, smoke-free apartment communities.