Archive: Around Town

A new directory of smoke-free rental housing in Tompkins County has been posted online by Tobacco Free Tompkins as part of the T-Free Zone program. Currently over 40 properties are listed from 5 landlords.

Properties listed are rented as 100% smoke-free, with smoking not permitted anywhere in the building, including all residences and living areas. A property is added to the list based on the landlord’s or property manager’s assertion that each unit in a building is leased or rented as “smoking not allowed” at any time by residents or guests. In many cases balconies, doorways or the entire property is smoke-free.

The smoke-free housing directory is a work-in-progress, and landlords and property managers are encouraged to submit new listings. Housing that is traditionally non-student, and subsidized housing rented to seniors and to persons with a disability will be an important component of the directory. Federally subsidized housing is not prohibited from establishing smoke-free policies, according to a number of references. Links to these references are available on the T-Free Web site.

The purpose of the listing is to provide tenants with a locally produced resource for smoke-free rental housing, provide landlords with an opportunity to promote their smoke-free properties, and as an advocacy tool for supporting and motivating the shift toward a smoke-free community norm. The directory does not provide information about current availability of the listed rentals.

Demand for fully smoke-free rental housing is growing rapidly as freedom from drifting and creeping tobacco smoke is increasingly recognized as a requirement for health and habitability. The Report of the U.S. Surgeon General, published in July 2006, states that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke.

Recently published reports about the risks associated with “third-hand” smoke are likely to reinforce the demand trend. Third-hand smoke refers to smoke toxins that have settled and remain on surfaces and fabrics such as furniture, drapes, carpets and walls. The cost of refurbishing a smoker’s apartment is further motivation to add smoking prohibitions to leases.

Smoke-free housing is being advocated by tobacco-free programs statewide, accelerating tenant demand and the conversion of multi-unit dwellings to smoke-free status. Landlords and property managers are welcome to contact Tobacco Free Tompkins for technical assistance with switching to smoke-free properties.

Tobacco Free Tompkins (T-Free) is a Tompkins County Health Department program funded by the New York State Tobacco Control Program (NY TCP) to decrease the social and economic burden of tobacco use in Tompkins County by fostering the shift toward a smoke-free community norm. The NY TCP goal is one million fewer smokers in New York State by 2010 utilizing community action, public health communications and cessation support.

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