Smoke-Free Apartments Available

Ann figured out why she coughed and had trouble breathing especially when she opened up her kitchen cabinets. Her apartment home was making her sick. She did not smoke, but her neighbors did and the smoke seeped into her apartment. Ann suffers from emphysema because of decades of Secondhand Smoke exposure in the workplace. She called Smoke-Free Arizona for help and was given information on disability rights and Fair Housing. Before she could file a claim, she got better—her neighbors had moved out and the new renters did not smoke inside their apartment.

The Coconino County Health Department (CCHD) announced that smoke-free apartments are available in Flagstaff and other areas of Coconino County.

After receiving complaints of smoke entering multi-unit housing rentals, CCHD compiled a list of smoke-free units to make it easy for renters to find smoke-free accommodations. The project helps both tenants and property owners with information about secondhand smoke. The list of smoke-free apartments available in Coconino County is available at www.coconino.us.gov/smokefreehousing.aspx.

“Smoke can seep into apartments from outside or from other apartments through spaces and cracks in walls, electrical outlets, or ventilation systems. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke,” said CCHD Chief Health Officer Barbara Worgess.

Secondhand smoke contains many chemicals that are known to cause cancer, lung and heart disease as well as birth defects and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). It is especially harmful for those with respiratory and/or heart problems, elderly, children and pets.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD) recommends providing smoke-free rental units for public housing. This option is rapidly gaining popularity across the country. Apartment managers who have implemented smoke-free policies have also found it much easier to implement than they had imagined.

Smoke-free apartment rentals not only protect the health of the tenants, but also save money for apartment owners creating a win-win situation.

“The health of our residents comes first. It is a much more pleasant environment,” said Angie Ramirez, Forest Meadows Assistant Manager.

Visit www.coconino.az.gov/smokefreehousing.aspx for more information. Apartment owners interested in promoting their smoke-free apartment rentals through Arizona Smokefree Housing/Coconino should call the Coconino County Health Department at 928-679-7263.