FORT WALTON BEACH — Floridians living in standardized public housing may be breathing easier soon. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro has introduced a smoke-free policy in HUD-affiliated public housing authorities nationwide.
The Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida, the state’s comprehensive tobacco prevention and cessation program, has been working to educate public and private housing managers about the benefits of smoke-free policies for over three years, and is encouraged by this development, according to a spokesperson.
“Smoke-free public housing is another step in the right direction to improve the health of children, adults and families who are disproportionately affected by tobacco,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “We also know that implementing smoke-free policies in multi-unit housing produces benefits for the properties including reduced maintenance and turn-over costs, and fewer resident disputes related to smoking neighbors.”
The bureau’s list of multi-unit properties that have enacted voluntary smoke-free policies has grown to more than 1,000 properties since tracking began in 2010.
Public housing units have also been making the change.
Benefits of smoke-free buildings include:
Decreased secondhand smoke exposure. Secondhand smoke can travel from other units through doorways, cracks in walls, electrical lines, plumbing and ventilation systems.
Better health. Smoke-free air laws decrease secondhand smoke exposure among nonsmokers, reduce heart attack and asthma hospitalizations, and encourage smokers to quit.
Increased safety. Smoke-free policies reduce fire risks for residents, owners and property managers.
Okaloosa County has HUD-affiliated public housing authorities in Crestview, Niceville and Fort Walton Beach. Since Nov. 13, 2013, HUD-affiliated public housing in Niceville has been smoke-free due to their early adoption of a no-smoking policy.
“We commend the City of Niceville and Niceville Housing Authority for promoting healthier lifestyles for their residents,” said Carrie Ziegler, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County's assistant director.
“Other HUD-affiliated housing, apartment complexes, municipalities and employers should consider creating and implementing smoke-free policies that will help make Okaloosa County a healthier place to live, learn, work and play.”
Four out of five non-smokers would prefer a smoke-free building policy
Source: The Department of Housing and Urban Development
DID YOU KNOW?
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HUD-affiliated public housing authorities to go smoke-free