PHAI has been on the forefront of the movement toward health smoke-free homes since we were the first to publish an article on the theories to achieve this goal way back in the year 2000.  Children, in particular, are likely to be exposed to tobacco smoke in multi-unit housing even if nobody in their household smokes in the home.

Since then, we have worked closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to provide support to tenants, landlords, and condominium owners and associations to understand the benefits and challenges of making homes 100% smoke-free.

We have developed an array of resources :

For Landlords:

• Landlord’s Guide (PDF)- complete guide for landlords wanting to make their buildings smoke-free;
• Letter to Residents (PDF)- sample letter notifying tentants of lease and rule changes;
• No-smoking in Common Areas Rule Change (PDF)- sample notice of rule change; and
• No-smoking Lease Addendum (PDF)

For Tenants:

• Tenants’ Guide to Going Smoke-Free (PDF)

For Condominium Residents and Trustees:

• Condo Guide (PDF) (Word);
• Sample Bylaw Amendment (PDF) (Word);
• Sample Bylaw Amendment with Grandfathered Units (PDF) (Word);
•  Sample Letter proposing No Smoking Rule (PDF); PDF
•  Sample No Smoking Rule for Common Areas (PDF) (Word);
•  Sample Notice of No Smoking Rule for Common Areas (PDF) (Word);
•  Sample Notice of Rule Change for Individual Units and Common Areas (PDF) (Word);
•  Sample Vote Register (PDF)  (Word);
•  Sample Voting Letter (PDF) (Word)

Market Research on Resident Demand (rental and condominiums):

• Survey Reveals Strong DEMAND for Smoke-Free Housing – Owners indicate growing interest and value in making properties

Smoke-Free Public Housing:

• From the New England Journal of Medicine: PHAI’s Gottieb co-authors piece in NEJM: Puffing in public housing poses serious health risks to tenants; and
• PHAI Attorney Chris Banthin Appears on WGBH with Boston Mayor Tom Menino to Discuss Smokefree Public Housing.

A smoke-free rule makes sense to both residents and property owners. Exposure to secondhand smoke, a Class A carcinogen, can result in illness and even death. Secondhand smoke is rarely contained inside an apartment or condominium unit.  It flows into neighboring condominium units or apartments and then stays in the air for hours, exposing nonsmokers and their families for long periods of time.

For landlords and condominiums, secondhand smoke can damage and devalue property. Smoke-free buildings have been shown to increase resident demand for units, cut maintenance costs, and lessen liability. Make your building smoke-free and join the growing number of landlords and condominiums who are reaping the benefits of a smoke-free rule.

Going smoke-free is entirely legal, just like prohibiting pets in a building. Smokers are welcome to live on smoke-free properties; they must merely follow the building’s rules. If you have questions, seek technical advice or referrals, please see our tool kits or call our Smoke-Free Homes toll-free hotline: (877) 830-8795