Vermont Business Magazine A new smokefree housing rule from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) went into effect July 30, protecting the 8,200 families current living in Vermont’s public housing communities from secondhand smoke.The American Lung Association applauds the new rule, which recognizes the serious health threat posed by secondhand smoke, and its ability to linger in rooms and even travel between homes in multi-unit housing. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
“Today we celebrate this important step to protect the health ofall residents in Vermont public housing authorities, and we know we’ll see the health benefits for years to come,” said Rebecca Ryan, Division Director at the American Lung Association in Vermont.
Secondhand smoke exposureposes serious health threats to both children and adults. Damaging health effects in children and adults include lung cancer, respiratory infections, worsened asthma symptoms, heart attacks and stroke. For residents of multi-unit housing (e.g., apartment buildings and condominiums), secondhand smoke can be a major concern even if people don’t smoke in your unit, as smoke can migrate from other units and common areas and travel through doorways, cracks in walls, electrical lines, plumbing, and ventilation systems.
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to lead a healthy life, and ensuring homes are free from the risks of secondhand smoke is a critical step for the health of residents,” said Jeff Seyler, Chief Division Officer of the American Lung Association. “This is especially true for children and those who are more vulnerable to the impact of second smoke, such as those living with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Today we’re making a healthier future for Vermont and our nation.”
In November 2016, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced arulerequiring all federally-owned public housing to become smokefree by July 30, 2018. This rule will protect close to two million Americans nationwide from being exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes, including 690,000 children.
The American Lung Association celebrates this long-awaited health protection, following more than a decade of advocacy for the passage of the rule as well as support for the implementation of smokefree housing policies in local public housing authorities. For many years, the Vermont Department of Health and partners, including the American Lung Association, have provided resources for residents, building managers and owners of multi-unit housing to support smokefree policies. Through local leadership a number ofpublic housing authorities, recognizing the health and safety risks of smoking, implemented smokefree housing policy prior to the enactment of this national rule. Burlington, Rutland and Barre Housing Authorities were among the firstin the state to prohibit smoking inside buildings. This new federal rule, prohibiting the use of lit tobacco products and hookahs inside all indoor areas and 25 feet from each public housing authority building, will ensure all residents are protected from secondhand smoke.
Source: Williston, VT (July 30, 2018) – American Lung Association in Vermont