Preventing involuntary exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke in multi-unit housing: Implementing smoke-free policies in low-income and public housing

This presentation will address successful methods for working with multi-unit properties, specifically public and subsidized facilities serving low-income individuals, in the adoption of smoke-free policies. Discussions will include ways of partnering with key stakeholders, inclusive messaging for the engagement of housing professionals, and marketing techniques for educating communities on the benefits of smoke-free policy adoption. The Smoke-Free Housing Coalition has been working with landlords and housing professionals to develop smoke-free policies in Maine's public, subsidized and private-market housing since 2003. The coalition credits unique collaborations with varied partners from the fields of public health, housing, environmental health, legal aid and others in the successful implementation of the Maine-based smoke-free housing initiative. The coalition has conducted several assessments to evaluate method effectiveness, such as message testing materials in multiple communities, including outreach to low-SES individuals and families, behavioral health populations and minority groups, such as Somali, Spanish and Sudanese populations. Since coalition inception, 18 of 20 (90%) housing authorities have adopted smoke-free policies, 45% of private-market rental housing is smoke-free and the state's largest non-profit developer of affordable housing has instituted a 100% smoke-free policy on all properties. The Coalition has successfully advocated for smoke-free incentive for low-income tax credits for developers of affordable housing and has remained a strong voice for voluntary policy change on through the New England region. The presentation will highlight the assessments, marketing and outreach efforts successfully utilized with public and subsidized housing and the importance of unique collaborations to the overall success of this initiative.