Preparing for Smoke-Free Policy Implementation in Public Housing Communities

Introduction

Residents of multi-unit housing are exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS), and public housing authorities are increasingly implementing smoke-free policies to reduce SHS exposure in their communities. To support the development of implementation strategies, a baseline evaluation was conducted in Philadelphia Housing Authority communities.

Methods

A mixed methods approach was developed to holistically assess community attitudes and practices related to smoking in homes and common areas, as well as to assess the tobacco use environment in each community.  In four communities, residents were recruited to participate in a face to face interview. Passive nicotine monitors collected data in non-smoking households, as well as common areas, and ethnographic observations and photo-documentation were used to capture tobacco-related behaviors and material culture, such as debris.

Results

Interviews were completed with 172 households. Monitoring was completed on 33 public area and 29 households. Among 29 non-smoking households, 6 (21%) had detectable levels of nicotine, with the highest level equivalent to 1-5 cigarettes smoked daily.  In the 33 common areas, 23 (70%) had detectable levels, with the highest equivalent to 6-10 cigarettes smoked daily.  Among respondents, 56% were current smokers, and only 37% reported having smoke-free rules in their homes. However, only 34% of respondents reported it was important to live in a community that allowed smoking, and 82% said they would be interested in living in a smoke-free community.

Conclusions

Although tobacco use is high among public housing residents, smoke-free communities are attractive to many residents.  Results suggest strategies for smoke-free policy implementation.