Implementing a No-Smoking Policy

It's simply the right thing to do and, from what our buyers have said on our last two projects, they unanimously embrace this feature.

Providing healthy living spaces, increasing fire safety, lowering turnover costs, and ensuring tenants satisfaction is important to us. As a supportive housing provider, offering smoke-free housing helps us accomplish these goals.

Smoke-free housing policies protect residents from harmful tobacco smoke exposure and also support smokers who want to reduce or quit smoking.

I am one of the truly blessed now to be safe in affordable smoke-free housing.

After spending thousands of dollars trying to prevent second-hand smoke from infiltrating units, it became apparent the only and best solution was to make the 90-unit condominium a smoke-free facility. Smoke free makes us more attractive to future residents.

It should be noted though that the process wasn’t easy…neighbours encouraged neighbours and ... clean air prevailed.

To implement a no-smoking policy:

Inform existing residents and staff about the new policy.
Post signage in appropriate locations. If your policy applies to the entire property, consider a sign by the parking lot, on the outside of the building and indoors that says, “Welcome to Our Smoke-Free Property.”
Post the policy on the building website.
Remove ashtrays from areas where smoking is prohibited.
Consider issuing a press release. Earned media is a great way to advertise.
Advertise smoke-free units in directories or websites where your building is listed.
Once your policy has been in place for six months to a year, consider a survey to get feedback on what your tenants think. Feedback can be useful to make improvements and positive comments can be used to promote your smoke-free building.
Enter your building into the Ontario Smoke-Free Housing Directory.
Consider providing support for smokers who may wish to quit. Contact your local public health unit for support.