Promoting Healthier Air in Multiunit Housing
For several years, Bloomington Public Health and its dedicated community partners and funders have provided outreach, education, and technical assistance to property managers and owners who want to adopt smoke-free policies. This work has included conducting health surveys with residents and managers, providing smoke-free policy language, and connecting tenants and properties with technical assistance providers such as Live Smoke Free. Thanks to these collaborative efforts, more residents in Bloomington, Edina, and Richfield are now protected from secondhand smoke in their rental homes.
Communications Toolkit
The City of Bloomington’s Public Health Division has released a series of three videos touting the benefits of smoke-free multiunit housing and featuring local properties that have made the transition to smoke-free. The videos highlight the success stories of Steven Scott Properties and International Village Apartments, and include the perspectives of management, local residents, and public health and safety experts. While focusing on the local Bloomington story, the videos include national data on smoke-free housing and are intended to be shared across Minnesota and the country to encourage multiunit housing properties to go smoke-free. This toolkit is designed for use by property managers, public health professionals, and community advocates and renters. Use this toolkit to promote the videos and grow momentum for smoke-free multiunit housing in your community.
Secondhand smoke exposure is still prevalent in the home environment, and more common in multiunit housing than in single family homes. More than one in three people who live in rental housing are exposed to secondhand smoke. Like smoking, secondhand smoke exposure can cause and/or exacerbate respiratory conditions and disorders; increase the likelihood of heart disease and stroke; and cause cancer. Higher amounts of secondhand smoke exposure correlate with higher rates of disease and death.
The seminal 2006 U.S. Surgeon General’s Report “The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke” concludes that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke, and eliminating smoking in indoor spaces is the only way to fully protect nonsmokers from exposure to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke exposure is most prevalent among households with children, certain workers not protected by clean indoor air laws, multiunit housing dwellers, and low-income people.
Up to 60% of the air within multiunit housing is shared which means secondhand smoke from a smoking-allowed unit easily transfers to a non-smoking unit within the same building. Separating smokers from nonsmokers or using mechanisms to clean or filter indoor air are not effective to address health risks.
Secondhand exposure in the multiunit housing environment is usually not by choice. An estimated 81% of multiunit households nationwide have smoke-free home rules; yet over one third of these households report secondhand smoke exposure. Women, younger adults, African Americans, Latinos and low-income people are more likely to experience secondhand smoke exposure than other groups.
Nonsmokers are less likely to prefer living in multiunit housing where smoking is allowed yet many accept secondhand smoke exposure as a given hazard of living in multiunit housing. In rental housing markets where affordable housing is scarce, low-income people may stay in unhealthy housing due to barriers to finding suitable alternatives.
Use the following posts and email template to share the smoke-free videos with your colleagues, residents and professional associations. Personalize the templates by sharing your experience with going smoke-free and what you think the biggest benefits are. When you share on social media, be sure to use the hashtag #SmokeFreeLiving and credit @Bloomington MN City Government and @Center for Prevention.
Facebook Posts |
- We are proud to offer our residents at [Property Name] a 100% smoke-free environment. Hear more from [local, Minnesota, fellow] apartment residents about why they support smoke-free housing. #SmokeFreeLiving @Bloomington MN City Government @Center for Prevention
https://youtu.be/NtEzasZ7_sw - Odors, neighbor complaints, health and safety risks, oh my! These are just a few of the reasons that [Property Name] decided to offer a smoke-free environment to our residents. We’re proud to be 100% smoke-free. #SmokeFreeLiving @Bloomington MN City Government @Center for Prevention
https://youtu.be/NtEzasZ7_sw - You share more than just walls when you live in an apartment. Up to 60% of air is shared, and there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. At [Property Name] we recognize the benefits of smoke-free living and are proud to offer a 100% smoke-free living environment. This is the only way to fully protect ourselves, our neighbors and our staff from the harms of secondhand smoke. #SmokeFreeLiving @Bloomington MN City Government @Center for Prevention
https://youtu.be/O4dR7DfPR70 - Providing smoke-free living at [Property Name] means healthier, cleaner, safer housing for our residents, guests and staff. That’s why we say now more than ever: Secondhand smoke—you can live without it! #SmokeFreeLiving @Bloomington MN City Government @Center for Prevention
https://youtu.be/DCz1H_8IeGI - We are proud to offer a smoke-free environment. And because we know that quitting is hard, we want our residents and staff to know that they can get free, no-judgement help from Quit Partner™ at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or QuitPartnerMN.com. #SmokeFreeLiving #QuitSmoking #QuitVaping @Bloomington MN City Government @Center for Prevention
https://youtu.be/DCz1H_8IeGI
E-blast to residents |
Subject: Reminder about our smoke-free policy
Dear resident,
At [Property Name] we are proud to offer smoke-free living to our residents. I wanted to share this video about the benefits of smoke-free apartments which includes the experiences of both people who smoke and those who do not, who live in smoke-free buildings.
At our property, 100% of all indoor and outdoor common areas, as well as individual units, are smoke-free. [Add additional details or reminders about your building specific policy, for example “We ask that people that smoke do so at least 25 feet from entrances and windows, and to remind your guests to do the same.”] This ensures that we can provide healthy, clean and safe housing for all of our residents.
If you have questions about our smoke-free policy, feel free to contact management at any time. If you are thinking of quitting smoking, contact Minnesota’s Quit Partner™ program at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or QuitPartnerMN.com. Thank you for doing your part to make [Property Name] a great place to live!
Sincerely,
Management
E-blast to colleagues and professional associations |
Subject: Going Smoke-Free
Dear [colleague(s)],
I wanted to take a moment to share a video series about the benefits of smoke-free housing. In our experience, the process of transitioning to smoke-free was easier than I had originally anticipated and has provided a healthier, cleaner, safer environment for our residents, guests and staff.
I appreciate the lower turnover costs of units, and am no longer embarrassed by the smell of secondhand smoke when I am showing a unit. We have found the majority of inquiries to be for smoke-free units, and few smokers expect to still be able to smoke inside their unit.
If you would be willing to share this video series to your networks to promote the benefits of smoke-free housing, I would greatly appreciate it! Here is a sample post:
- We are proud to offer our residents at [Property Name] a 100% smoke-free environment. Learn more about the benefits of smoke-free apartments by watching this video! #SmokeFreeLiving @Bloomington MN City Government @Center for Prevention
If you or anyone you know has questions, I’m happy to be a resource, or you can contact the Live Smoke Free program at mnsmokefreehousing.org for referrals to local public health who can support you in your transition.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Use the following posts and email template to share the smoke-free videos with your colleagues, clients, audiences and professional networks. Personalize the templates by sharing your experience supporting smoke-free housing in your work or community, and where you see the opportunities for smoke-free housing among the populations your serve. When you share on social media, be sure to use the hashtag #SmokeFreeLiving and credit @Bloomington MN City Government and @Center for Prevention.
Facebook Posts |
- Do you live in a condo, townhome, or apartment?
Do you have neighbors that smoke in the unit next door?
Do you or someone that lives with you have health issues that are affected by secondhand smoke?
Check out this video about the benefits of smoke-free housing and reach out for support to go smoke free [leave your contact information or the info for your local public health office]! #SmokeFreeLiving @Bloomington MN City Government @Center for Prevention
- “Property management benefits, the owner benefits, neighbors and staff benefit. There are a whole bunch of beneficiaries when you chose to go smoke-free!” says Emily Paulino from @International Village Apartments. See the whole series featuring International Village and other residents and properties, and take the next step to go smoke-free where you live! #SmokeFreeLiving @Bloomington MN City Government @Center for Prevention
- “We were surprised to see that even smokers were supportive of going smoke-free,” says Emily Paulino of @International Village Apartments. Smoke-free housing benefits our residents, and helps smokers that are thinking about quitting increase their chances of success. Hear more from fellow smokers, their neighbors and property managers about why they support smoke-free housing. #SmokeFreeLiving @Bloomington MN City Government @Center for Prevention
- The demand for smoke-free housing is growing: “I don’t get any calls of people looking to move into a smoking building,” says Sharon Kendhammer from @Tarnhill Apartments in this video about smoke-free multiunit housing. [Property name] is proud to offer our residents a 100% smoke-free environment that benefits residents, staff and the community. #SmokeFreeLiving @Bloomington MN City Government @Center for Prevention
- Secondhand exposure in apartments is usually not by choice. An estimated 81% of multiunit households nationwide have smoke-free home rules; yet over one third of these households report secondhand smoke exposure. Women, younger adults, African Americans, Latinos and low-income people are more likely to experience secondhand smoke exposure than other groups. Smoke-free multiunit housing policies assure that all residents regardless of income, race or housing status can chose to live smoke free! #SmokeFreeLiving @Bloomington MN City Government @Center for Prevention
E-blast to partners |
Dear [partner],
The City of Bloomington's Public Health Division has recently released a series of three videos touting the benefits of smoke-free multiunit housing and featuring local properties that have made the transition to smoke-free. The videos highlight the success stories of two large properties in their service area and include the perspectives of management and local residents as well as public health and safety experts. While focusing on the local Bloomington story, the videos include national data on smoke-free housing and are intended to be shared across Minnesota and the country to encourage multiunit housing properties to go smoke-free.
Can you help to promote the videos by sharing them in your personal and organizational networks? If you are connected to property managers or people that live in multiunit housing through your work, sharing these videos with them would be especially helpful. Templates for social media posts and e-blasts are included in the [attached toolkit] or you can use this post:
- Secondhand exposure in apartments is usually not by choice. An estimated 81% of multiunit households nationwide have smoke-free home rules; yet over one third of these households report secondhand smoke exposure. Women, younger adults, African Americans, Latinos and low-income people are more likely to experience secondhand smoke exposure than other groups. Smoke-free multiunit housing policies assure that all residents regardless of income, race or housing status can chose to live smoke free! #SmokeFreeLiving @Bloomington MN City Government @Center for Prevention
Thank you!
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Use the following posts and email template to share the smoke-free videos with your friends and family to prompt important conversations and build momentum for smoke-free policies in your community. You may also wish to voice your support for smoke-free policies to your elected officials. Elected officials can support smoke-free policies by providing incentives to go smoke-free, passing policies that require properties to be smoke-free, or voicing their support for smoke-free living among their peers and with their constituents. When you share on social media, be sure to use the hashtag #SmokeFreeLiving and credit @Bloomington MN City Government and @Center for Prevention.
Facebook Posts |
- Smoking inside your apartment comes with a lot of risks. There are lots of benefits to making apartments smoke-free. Plus, you or your loved ones can get free help to quit smoking or vaping from Quit Partner™. 1-800-QUIT-NOW or QuitPartnerMN.com. #SmokeFreeLiving #QuitSmoking #QuitVaping @Bloomington MN City Government @Center for Prevention
- [Share how you’ve personally been impacted by secondhand smoke exposure where you live/d] #SmokeFreeLiving @Bloomington MN City Government @Center for Prevention
- Secondhand smoke—you can LIVE without it! #SmokeFreeLiving @Bloomington MN City Government @Center for Prevention
- NO amount of secondhand smoke is safe, and ventilation and air filters won’t keep you safe. Let’s work to make all housing smoke-free. #SmokeFreeLiving @Bloomington MN City Government @Center for Prevention
- Spending more time at home over the past many months has meant that people who live in smoking-allowed apartments or condos may have also been exposed to more secondhand smoke. Now more than ever, it is important we provide the opportunity and resources to live smoke free. #SmokeFreeLiving @Bloomington MN City Government @Center for Prevention
Email to friends or family |
Hi!
I just saw these videos released by the City of Bloomington about the benefits of smoke-free multiunit housing, featuring local properties, and thought you might be interested. [Share something about your experience or feelings about secondhand smoke exposure in multiunit housing]
We are hoping to spread the word about the benefits of smoke-free housing to encourage other apartments and condos to go smoke-free. Can you help to promote the videos by sharing them on your social media accounts and with other people you know? If you live in an apartment of condo, please consider sharing these videos with your property manager or HOA board. Templates for social media posts and e-blasts are included in the [attached toolkit] or you can use this post:
- Smoking inside your apartment comes with a lot of risks. There are lots of benefits to making apartments smoke-free. Plus, you or your loved ones can get free help to quit smoking or vaping from Quit Partner™. 1-800-QUIT-NOW or QuitPartnerMN.com. #SmokeFreeLiving #QuitSmoking #QuitVaping @Bloomington MN City Government @Center for Prevention
Thank you!
[Your Name]
Email to elected officials |
Dear [elected official],
I am writing to you to express my support for smoke-free multiunit housing in [your city, county, state]. The City of Bloomington just released these videos about the benefits of smoke-free multiunit housing featuring local properties that have made the transition. The videos share a lot of interesting information, and include the perspectives of property managers, residents and public health experts. [Share something about your experience or feelings about secondhand smoke exposure in multiunit housing, especially if you have experience being exposed to secondhand smoke where you live.]
Like smoking, secondhand smoke exposure can cause or worsen respiratory conditions and disorders, increase the likelihood of heart disease and stroke, and cause cancer. More than one in three people who live in rental housing are exposed to secondhand smoke.
I would love to see more apartments and condos go smoke-free and was wondering what you can do to support this work. Can you help to promote the videos by making them available on your communication channels, such as your website or social media accounts? Are there policies or programs that you are aware of that can support this work locally? If you are connected to property managers or people who live in multiunit housing, sharing these videos with them would be especially helpful.
I would like to see [your city, county, state] take a stance on the importance of smoke-free housing—please let me know how I can support moving this important work forward.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Contact Info]
For questions about this toolkit or for inquiries on going smoke-free in Bloomington, Edina and Richfield, Minnesota, contact Kate Ebert at kebert@bloomingtonmn.gov or 952-563-8911.
Residents, managers and owners of multiunit housing properties in Minnesota can contact their local Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) Coordinator. Look up SHIP contact information here.
The Association for Nonsmokers Minnesota’s Live Smoke Free program provides technical assistance to properties and residents interested in going smoke-free and maintains a database of smoke-free properties and resources. More information at mnsmokefreehousing.org
Smoke-Free Multiunit Housing Videos
The City of Bloomington’s Public Health Division has released a series of three videos touting the benefits of smoke-free multiunit housing and featuring local properties that have made the transition to smoke-free.
Funding for these videos was provided by the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, with additional support from the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) at the Minnesota Department of Health. When sharing these videos, please credit @Bloomington MN City Government and @Center for Prevention. Although not required, we would appreciate being informed of your plans to use these videos on social media for evaluation and planning purposes.
The videos were produced for the City of Bloomington by the other media group. Special thanks to Steven Scott Properties, International Village, local residents, the Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota, and City of Bloomington staff who took part in the filming of this series.
Resources
The Association for Nonsmokers Minnesota’s Live Smoke Free program provides technical assistance to properties and residents interested in going smoke-free, and maintains a database of smoke-free properties and resources.
View the City of Bloomington's presentation on the Multiunit Housing Resident Survey (2018). For more information, view the full report.