News
June 17, 2015Smoke-free Policy Found Effective at Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority
Survey of residents reveals residents are smoking less and a healthy majority like no-smoking policy.
(Schenectady, NY) June 16, 2015 –Two years since the Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority (SMHA) implemented a smoke-free policy for its senior developments, the Capital District Tobacco-Free Coalition (CDTFC) announced that a recent survey shows that the policy is helping residents smoke less and is well-liked by a majority of residents.
The survey of senior and disabled residents residing at Ten Eyck, Shonowee Village and Lincoln Heights shows that:
- Of 24 respondents who currently smoke, 18 are smoking less, and of those smoking less, 13 report that at least part of the reason is the no-smoking policy. Just four smokers report smoking inside their apartment at least a few times a month.
- 68.9% of respondents said they like living in a building with a no-smoking policy.
- 61.4% said someone in their apartment has a medical condition made worse by exposure to secondhand smoke.
The survey was conducted by the Capital District Tobacco-Free Coalition from January 12 through February 26, 2015 and consisted of 28 multiple-choice and two fill-in questions. It was distributed to all 413 units of the downtown developments. The CDTFC received 132 completed surveys, a 32% response rate.
“It’s gratifying to see that the no-smoking policy is beginning to create healthier homes for our residents,” stated Richard Homenick, executive director of SMHA. “While there is certainly room for improvement, we know that we have the support of residents to continue to work toward 100% smoke-free buildings.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 1 in 3 nonsmokers who live in rental housing are exposed to secondhand smoke and more than 2 in 5 nonsmokers who live below the poverty level are exposed to secondhand smoke (Vitalsigns, February 2015). Secondhand smoke exposure is a known cause of respiratory infections, asthma attacks, heart disease, stroke and lung cancer. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development strongly encourages public housing authorities and all multi-unit housing owners to adopt smoke-free policies to protect against secondhand smoke as well as to reduce the risk of fire and to save on turnover costs. Currently, more than 500 public housing authorities throughout the nation and at least 32 in New York State have no-smoking policies in some or all of their buildings.
“Our no-smoking policy is the best thing that ever happened to us,” said Dina Puente, property manager at SMHA. “What I feared would lead to confrontation has actually opened up dialogue and brought the residents together. The nonsmokers are thrilled that they no longer have to endure the smoke in silence and are thanking smokers for their efforts to comply with the policy. The smokers appreciate being recognized for their efforts and are grateful for the added incentive to quit.”
About the Capital District Tobacco-Free Coalition: The New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Tobacco Control funds the Capital District Tobacco-Free Coalition to increase support for New York State’s tobacco-free norm through youth action and community engagement. Efforts are evidence-based, policy-driven, and cost-effective approaches that decrease youth tobacco use, motivate adult smokers to quit, and eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke. Visit www.SmokeFreeCapital.org for more information.
About the Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority: Established on February 6, 1934, the Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority is the first public housing authority in New York State. Since the first tenants occupied Schonowee Village in 1938, the Authority has grown to encompass seven conventional housing developments serving a total of 1,018 low-income families. The Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program serves the housing needs of 1,387 households throughout the City of Schenectady.
