Residents

Concerned about secondhand smoke entering your apartment?

Secondhand smoke drifts between units through doorways, windows, hallways, ventilation systems, and around gaps outlets and fixtures. In fact, up to 65% of the air in an apartment can come from other units in the building.

Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from secondhand smoke exposure:

 

1. 1. Check your lease for your apartment or rules for your condominium to see if smoking is allowed or not. 
      • • Some leases might completely ban smoking in the building, others might not allow it in common areas, and some might not mention smoking at all.
   2. Talk with your neighbors about your experiences with secondhand smoke.
      • • Discuss with your neighbors to see how secondhand smoke is affecting them. They could be going through the same issue and could help come to a solution.
        • If you feel comfortable doing so and know where the smoke is coming from, talk to your neighbor about the problem to see if a compromise can be reached. 
   3. If secondhand smoke is affecting your health, talk to your doctor. They can provide a note stating the secondhand smoke exposure is contributing to your illness or negatively impacting your health.

      Learn more about the health risks of secondhand smoke here.

       

   4. Talk to your landlord or property manager about the issue of secondhand smoke.
      • • If possible, meet in-person or use written communication to keep a record of the communications.
        • Remain polite, calm, and focus on the issue. Discuss what the options are for solutions. 
        • If there is not a smokefree policy, including in the individual units, ask them to implement one. A comprehensive smokefree policy is the best way to protect everyone from secondhand smoke exposure.
        • Request them to conduct a resident/tenant survey. This will determine what residents think about banning smoking indoors. 
        • Don’t forget the doctor’s note, if applicable.
        • Invite your neighbors that are also concerned about secondhand smoke to attend the meeting or send additional letters to the landlord.    
   5. The landlord or property manager might try to provide a temporary fix, such as sealing cracks in the walls or underneath doors.  The only way to completely get rid of secondhand smoke is to make the property smokefree.

       

   6.  If your landlord or property manager will not address or fix the problem, you have some additional options:
      • • If it is a possibility, consider moving. If this is the solution, ask your landlord or property manager to waive any fees or penalties for breaking your lease.
          
        • There are legal options, but a lawsuit should be the last resort after other avenues have been explored. Exposing tenants to secondhand smoke could be a violation of the Fair Housing Act or the ADA. Learn more here.