Healthier Buildings, Happier Tenants, A Smart Investment!

• Market Advantages:  Buildings may be able to attract more tenants by going smoke free. Research  shows that renters want smoke-free housing! Many renters are even willing to pay more rent and make other sacrifices, such as walking farther to a bus stop or driving farther to work, to live in a smoke-free building.
• Reduced Costs:  Cleaning costs are lower when you don’t have to scrub, paint, and replace items in an apartment that smell like smoke or are covered in residue
• Fewer fire risks: Smoking-related fires are deadly and costly. By going smoke-free, you eliminate the source of smoking-related fires. Some insurance companies may even provide reduced premium rates to buildings that are smoke free or to tenants who live in a smoke-free building.
• Smoke-free policies are legal:  A building owner/manager can legally make a rental building (or entire property) completely smoke free.
• Protection from secondhand smoke:  All tenants, guests, and staff members are protected from the serious health dangers associated with secondhand smoke exposure.

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Live Smoke Free...Twin Cities' Smoke Free Multi-Housing Program

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have come together to increase awareness about the dangers of secondhand smoke through the Smoke Free Home Campaign. This program offers you the chance to take a pledge to keep cigarette smoke out of your home, allowing you to take the first step toward a smoke-free life and keep harmful secondhand smoke away from your children.

Did you know?

• Surveys show that 15 million children are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke in the home.
• Children are more susceptible to the effects of secondhand smoke because their lungs are still developing.
• Children who breathe secondhand smoke are more likely to suffer from bronchitis and pneumonia; ear infections; coughing and wheezing; and more frequent and severe asthma attacks.
• Up to 1 million children with asthma have their condition made worse when exposed to secondhand smoke.
• Asthma is the leading cause of absenteeism due to chronic illness.