Myth 1 : If I implement a smoke-free policy, I will lose money .

Actually, you can save money by implementing a smoke-free policy. You will reduce wear and tear, and save on cleaning and re-painting costs. In the U.S. in the year 2002 an estimated $926 million in damages occurred in apartment fires, of which cigarette smoking is the leading cause. (Source: NFPA Fire Analysis and Research; Fire Loss in the U.S. During 2002)

Myth 2 : A smoke-free policy will alienate tenants. I will lose valuable residents.

• 16% of apartments and condominiums in Hawaii already protect residents from secondhand smoke by having policies that prohibit smoking on lanai and individual units¹.

• The number of homeowners in Hawaii who have voluntarily created smoke-free policies in their homes has increased 54.9% from 1992-2003 ² .

A number of public opinion surveys have found that a significant majority of tenants Nationwide support smoke-free policies in the home, in bars, restaurants, night-clubs, and other public venues.

We can show you how to go smoke-free while keeping your existing smoking tenants happy too (Source: Various surveys; see link to surveys below).

¹Krupitsky, D., Kishaba, G. Smoke-Free Policies in Hawaii’s Apartments and Condominiums. [Unpublished] version: April 20, 2007.

²U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. State-specific prevalence of smoke-free home rules. Mortality & Morbidity Weekly Report, 56(20). Atlanta,
GA: US DHHS, CDC; 2006.

Myth 3: Enforcing a smoking ban would be too difficult.

Once you implement a policy, smoking will be so noticeable by other residents that you are likely to hear about it. Enforcing a smoking policy is a lot less of a headache than mediating disputes between smokers and non-smokers without a policy in place. You must be prepared to follow through with consequences; for example, two warnings, and then termination of the lease.

1. Create a smoke-free policy.

2. Include, in writing, how your smoke-free policy will be enforced.

3. Make your policy and its enforcement clear, known, consistent and fair.

4. Notify your tenants about the new smoke-free policy, and enforcement.

5. Follow-through with enforcement of the policy.

Now that you know the facts, you may be ready for planning and communication tools that make going smoke-free easier.