1 / 15

Second-Hand Smoke in Multi-Unit Dwellings The New Frontier BCHLA Presentation January 30, 2013

Second-Hand Smoke in Multi-Unit Dwellings The New Frontier BCHLA Presentation January 30, 2013. Main Points. What’s the scope of the issue? What are the barriers and benefits? What are others doing? What’s happening next?. Why Go Smoke-Free?. Social Norms are Changing:

conroy
Télécharger la présentation

Second-Hand Smoke in Multi-Unit Dwellings The New Frontier BCHLA Presentation January 30, 2013

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Second-Hand Smoke in Multi-Unit DwellingsThe New FrontierBCHLA PresentationJanuary 30, 2013

  2. Main Points • What’s the scope of the issue? • What are the barriers and benefits? • What are others doing? • What’s happening next?

  3. Why Go Smoke-Free? Social Norms are Changing: • Historically low levels of smoking • National average ~18%, BC ~14% • Decreasing public tolerance for exposure to SHS • No regular smoking inside in BC = 89% (HC data 2003) • Increasing public demand for more smoke-free environments inside and out • Survey found majority of renters and condo owners prefer 100% smoke-free buildings (BC Stats 2008)

  4. Why Go Smoke-Free? • Exposure to SHS is a serious Health Hazard • SHS cannot be contained or ventilated • Unacceptable 34% of MUDS residents are exposed to SHS in BC (BC Stats 2008) • More renters smoke making the rental population more vulnerable, especially in social housing

  5. Smoke-Free Housing In Multi-Unit Dwellings (MUDs) in BC • Heart and Stroke Foundation (BC & Yukon) along with BC Lung Association working since 2004 on this issue • Funding received through BC Healthy Living Alliance (2008/10) • Demand for smoke-free housing has escalated (up to fifty complaints/issues a month)

  6. Define Smoke-Free Housing Issue • Shortage of smoke-free multi-housing options in all sectors (profit, non-profit, condos, co-ops) • Increasing options for smoke-free homes • Protecting British Columbians from second-hand smoke • 40% of households live in multi-unit dwellings (2006 Census)

  7. Define a No-Smoking Policy • A clause in a new tenancy agreement or lease (like no pets or no barbeques). Existing tenants must be ‘grandfathered’. • Defines where smoking is banned (inside units, outside balconies, property; could include outside designated smoking area) • Does NOT ban smokers from renting • Does NOT force tenants to quit • Does NOT evict tenants who smoke

  8. Barriers • Legality – Is it legal? • Belief policy is discriminatory – Is it discriminatory? • Enforcement - How do you enforce it? • Economic concerns – Will I be able to sell/rent the suite? • Inertia - I need help to do it! Where do I start? Human Rights complaints are being brought forward by those affected by second-hand smoke and most people need to be accommodated.

  9. Benefits • Reduced maintenance, clean-up costs, damage to property • Reduced risk of fire – Cigarettes are #1 ignition source of fatal residential fires • Reduced complaints from residents • Increased options for people with chronic diseases • Reduced hazards of second-hand smoke • Policy helps people quit smoking

  10. Success stories • Envy Condo, North Vancouver (2006) • Greater Edmonton Foundation Housing - Seniors (2007) • City of St. John’s, NL (2008) • Verdant Condominium, Vancouver BC (2008) • Globe Agencies, Manitoba (2008) • Rain City Housing Site, Vancouver, BC (2009) • Region of Waterloo (2010) • Martel Property Management Company, NL (2011)

  11. Trends/Issues – Canada & USA • 70 Social/non-profit housing providers smoke-free in Ontario • 10 municipalities in California banned smoking in indoor units (2013 data) • Bloomberg announces cash incentives for smoke-free buildings – up to $10 K • Legislation requiring housing units to declare smoking status of each unit • Legislation requiring condos to be smoke-free from the outset • E-cigarettes – what to do about them? • Canadian Research (Kaufman – Waterloo)

  12. Our Next Steps • Environmental scan and latest issues • Update website • Update statistics • Support regional tobacco control initiatives related to second-hand smoke

  13. Resources • Smoke Free Housing BC Websitewww.smokefreehousingbc.ca • First ever website in Canada to address second-hand smoke in MUDs: • Legal section - legal opinion, list of case law, steps on how to address second-hand smoke complaints • How-To Guide – steps to adopt a smoke-free policy, including sample addendums, resident notification letters • Enforcement section – with steps for addressing violations and sample caution letters • Tools and resource section – sample surveys, notification letters, warning letters • Video to promote the legality, benefits and public demand for smoke-free housing in MUDs • Smoke-Free Housing Directory – list and search

  14. Take Away • The issue: • Increasing OPTIONS for smoke-free homes • PROTECTION from a serious health hazard • Reaching the Tipping Point – Shortage of smoke-free housing • Society is moving to smoke-free living

  15. Contacts Jack Boomer Director, Clean Air Coalition of BC E jboomer@contextresearch.ca T 604.731.5864 Sharon Hammond Provincial Manager, Clean Air Coalition of BC E shammond@contextresearch.ca T 604.731.5864

More Related