Public housing residents protected from secondhand smoke exposure

Delaware public housing residents are now protected from the dangers of secondhand smoke through a new smoke-free housing rule from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that went into effect July 30.

“Secondhand smoke is a serious health threat and can linger in rooms and even travel between homes in multi-unit housing. A move to smoke-free public housing will protect the health of millions of people from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke,” said American Lung Association Chief Mission Officer Deborah P. Brown. “There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. This is especially true for children and those who are more vulnerable to the impact of secondhand smoke, such as those living with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.”

In November 2016, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced a rule requiring all federally owned public housing to become smoke-free by July 30, 2018. This rule will protect close to 2 million Americans nationwide from being exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes, including 690,000 children.

“The American Lung Association celebrates this long-awaited health protection, following more than a decade of advocacy for the passage of the rule as well as support for the implementation of smoke-free housing policies in local public housing authorities,” said Brown. “This means nearly 4,000 residents of Delaware public housing authorities will be protected.”

To support this transition to a healthier, smoke-free lifestyle, the lung association is sharing best practices to implement smoke-free housing policies with public housing authorities across the state, and providing smoking cessation support to residents.

Facilitators for the American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking cessation program have been trained throughout Delaware to help the anticipated increase in people seeking help in quitting smoking.

“Today we celebrate this important step to protect the health of residents in Delaware, and we know we’ll see the health benefits for years to come,” said Brown. “We’re proud to assist in the implementation of smoke-free policies and help smokers quit when they’re ready.”

Secondhand smoke exposure poses serious health threats to both children and adults. Damaging health effects in children and adults include lung cancer, respiratory infections, worsened asthma symptoms, heart attacks and stroke.

For residents of multi-unit housing housing such as apartment buildings and condominiums, secondhand smoke can be a major concern. Even if people don’t smoke in a particular unit, smoke can migrate from other units and common areas and travel through doorways, cracks in walls, electrical lines, plumbing and ventilation systems.

For more information go to www.lung.org/smokefreehousing.