Advantages of Smokefree Apartments
Smokefree Air is Healthier Air
Secondhand smoke can drift from unit to unit, seeping through hallways, electrical outlets,lighting fixtures, plumbing, wall cracks and ventilation[i]. When someone in a building is smoking, everyone can be exposed to the same toxic chemicals found in smoke inhaled directly from a burning cigarette. This smoke contains over 7000 toxic and cancer causing chemicals such as benzene, lead, cadmium, formaldehyde and polonium 210[ii]. Air filters cannot filter out secondhand smoke. According to the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers, the only sure way to keep secondhand smoke from drifting from one unit to another is to have a smokefree building[iii].
Secondhand smoke is known to cause not only many forms of cancer but also heart disease, respiratory diseases and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. To protect your health and that of your family and pets, it is important to ask for a smokefree apartment and make sure that there is a lease addendum stating that smoking is not allowed in the units or hallways, on balconies and/or patios, or in outdoor common areas such as a pool area.
If you currently have secondhand smoke drifting into your home, here are some resources to help you:
- [i] Op. cit. ASHRAE
- [ii] Op. cit. USSG Secondhand smoke Factsheet
- [iii] Op. cit. ASHRAE
back to top of page
Page Last Updated: July 23, 2018
