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Exposure to any amount of secondhand smoke is
harmful. One of the places where exposure often
occurs is in or around people’s housing. Thurston
County Public Health & Social Services encourages
housing owners and managers to develop smoke-free
policies to increase the amount of space where
people are living that is free of secondhand smoke.
While there are many types of ‘smoke-free’, and
ways to phase-in the policy, the only way to ensure
no exposure is to declare an entire property to be
smoke-free.
There are several main reasons why landlords,
housing owners and housing managers are interested
in having a smoke-free policy:
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1. |
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Saving on costs: less maintenance and
cleaning costs for units or facilities where
smoking has not been allowed; reduced risk
of fires; |
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2. |
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Reduced liability: whereas smokers are
not a protected class of people, people
living with breathing disabilities or
smoking allergies, which may be aggravated
by exposures to secondhand smoke; |
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3. |
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Better reputation and attractiveness for
most renters: over 80% of all renters, and
even a majority of those who smoke, prefer
smoke-free housing; |
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4. |
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Improving community health: by reducing
secondhand smoke, you are helping protect
your tenants from negative health effects of
breathing smoke or the residues of smoking. |
If you are a housing owner or manager and would
like more information or assistance with
establishing a smoke-free policy, or other indoor
air quality issues, please contact us:
You can also find a way to post information for
renters to find your smoke-free units at:
http://www.alaw.rentlinx.com/AddYourProperties.aspx
If you are a renter looking for smoke-free
housing, go to:
http://www.alaw.rentlinx.com/Search.aspx
More information can also be found at:
www.smokefreewashington.com
| This project has
been funded by a grant from the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Region 10
Indoor Air Program. |
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