Smoke-Free Guidance for Housing Providers and Landlords

Implementing a smoke-free policy is one of the best ways property managers and owners can protect their investment and the health of their residents and staff.

Did you know...

  • It is 100% legal for an owner or manager to restrict or ban smoking in all or part of the property they own or manage?
  • You can save thousands of dollars turning over an individual unit if a resident doesn't smoke indoors?
  • The majority of residents in market and affordable housing in Colorado want smoke-free policies where they live?
  • There is no way to filter smoke from the air or purify the air that is contaminated from secondhand smoke? 
    • The only way to protect other residents from smoke is to ban indoor smoking?
  • You can reduce your liability and chances of fire, and you might qualify for reduced insurance premiums if you enact a smoke-free policy?

Local public health agencies can also be a great resource for housing providers looking to implement a smoke-free policy. If your local agency does not provide assistance in smoke-free housing policies, please submit a request to DPH.TobaccoTeam@dhha.org.

Report a Complaint or Concern About Secondhand Smoke

Policy Change: Getting Help From Your Local Health Department

It is strongly encouraged that housing providers contact their local health agency/department, for smoke-free process assistance. A health department may be able to provide resources such as:

  • Model and sample policies.
  • Presentations for residents on the health effects of smoke.
  • Presentations for staff, providing the tools they need to explain and enforce the policy.
  • Connections to other housing providers who have gone smoke-free.
  • Cessation resources to help support policies and enforcement.
  • Help with 'making the case' to owners, board members and other stakeholders.

Find your local public health agency.

Smoke-Free Policy Benefits

Making the Case For Prevention

Used with permission from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
 

Benefits of Smoke-Free Housing

There are many health and economic benefits that come with implementing a smoke-free policy. It is important to include these when educating residents and housing providers. Housing providers are interested in protecting their investment, as well as employee and resident health; providing them with the tools and resources to answer resident questions and justify the policy is one key to successful enforcement.

 

Tranining Information

Smoke-Free Training for Housing Providers
The Denver Public Health Chronic Disease Tobacco Team, in collaboration with our Leadership Advisory Team, will provide two trainings, catered to housing providers, focused on topics pertaining to smoke-free housing policies.

Some training topics will include:

  • Phases of implementation.
  • Sample policy language.
  • Enforcement strategies.
  • Resident engagement.

Training dates and locations are currently being scheduled; please check back for updated information.

 

Resources for Housing Providers

Secondhand Smoke and Multiunit Housing
According to the surgeon General, there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. In addition, secondhand smoke is known to cause heart disease and cancer in those who have never smoked. It can also increase the risk that children will develop asthma or die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
 General Resources

Smoke-Free Housing Guides

Free Smoke-Free Signs, Posters and Brochures

 Cessation
Fact Sheets

Policy and Document Library

Denver Housing Authority (DHA)

Statewide Resources

  • Colorado Smoke-Free Multiunit Housing Resource Packet

Policy Document Library

  • South Metro Housing Options
  • Sample Policy
  • Sample Violation Letter
  • Denver Housing Authority
  • DHA Public Housing Rules of Occupancy
  • Non-smoking Housing Policy
  • Notice of Non-smoking Policy

Statewide resources:

  • Colorado Smoke-Free Multi-unit Housing Resource Packet