Renters

Who’s affected and what’s the problem?

Secondhand smoke travels between units through doorways, cracks in walls, electrical lines, ventilation systems and plumbing1

    multi-unit house
  • One out of three people who don’t smoke and live in rental housing are exposed to secondhand smoke.2
  • There is no safe level of secondhand smoke. 
    • Children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to the health risks associated with secondhand smoke.3
    • 2 out of 5 children are exposed to secondhand smoke. Most children are exposed in the home.1
    • Children exposed to tobacco smoke are at risk for asthma, lung problems, earaches, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).3
    • Adults are at risk for heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer.1
  • Children living in multiunit housing have higher blood levels of cotinine, a marker of tobacco exposure, even when they live with caregivers who do not smoke.3
  • Thirdhand smoke is the residue left behind from cigarette smoke and cannot be removed through normal cleaning methods.
    • It contains 250 chemicals and sticks to dust, carpets, upholstery, walls, hair, clothes, pets’ fur, and feathers. The toxic chemicals left behind can re-emit and off gas back into the air. It cannot be removed through routine cleaning methods and can remain months after smoking has stopped.4,5
    • Moving into a unit that was previously smoked in exposes you and your family to toxic chemicals.
  • Babies and children are particularly vulnerable to thirdhand smoke, the residue left behind from smoking, when they crawl on contaminated floors or put contaminated items in their mouth.4

A note about public housing: In 2018, The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) required all HUD residences to adopt a smoke-free policy.

  • Cigarettes and cigars cannot be smoked in buildings on HUD properties, including offices, residences, and common areas, or within 25 feet of any buildings on HUD property.
  • Electronic cigarettes were not required to be included in the policy, management of public housing authorities may also prohibit the use of these products in their facilities.

Benefits of Smoke-Free Homes:

  • Protect yourself and your family from secondhand and thirdhand smoke.
  • Reduce fire risk.
  • Reduce maintenance and cleaning costs.

What can you do?

  • Use the resources below to learn more about smoke-free housing.
  • Don’t allow smoking or vaping in your home or car.
  • Talk to your landlord about adopting a smoke-free policy.
  • Talk to other tenants in your building about the smoking policy.
  • Ask your landlord about the tobacco policy before signing your lease.
  • Educate your community leaders about the benefits of smoke-free laws and policies.

Resources for Renters

References