Potential Savings From Averted Smoking-Related Costs in Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing

BACKGROUND: Smoking-related costs in multi-unit housing (MUH) have not been systematically evaluated. This information could encourage MUH property owners and managers to support smoke-free MUH. METHODS: In 2008-2009 we conducted a computer-assisted telephone interview random sample survey of California apartment association membership, clustered by region. 343 (22.5% response rate) MUH property owners or managers were asked about past year smoking-related costs and smoke-free policies in their MUH property with the most recently vacated unit. We used a multivariable zero-inflated negative binomial model to predict the one-year savings from prevented smoking-related costs if all California MUH went smoke-free. RESULTS: 27.1% of the respondents incurred smoking-related costs with a mean of $4,935. Over half reported a smoke-free policy; 33.5% reported complete smoke-free policies and 20.3% reported partial smoke-free policies. 29.5% of not smoke-free properties incurred smoking-related costs, with a mean of $3,425; 39.7% of partially smoke-free properties incurred smoking-related costs, with a mean of $9,573; and 16.0% of completely smoke-free properties incurred smoking-related costs, with a mean of $1,866. We estimate that implementing complete smoke-free policies would save $18,094,254 in one year. CONCLUSION: Completely smoke-free MUH properties are nearly half as likely to incur smoking-related costs as MUH properties that are not smoke-free. Partially smoke-free MUH properties have the highest likelihood and amount of smoking-related costs; these policies may be a response to reduce such costs. The decision to make a property smoke free is likely to result in significant savings for the property owner.