Everyone should be able to breathe clean, safe air in their homes. Unfortunately, many people are exposed to secondhand smoke in the home. This is especially true if you live in multi-unit housing, such as apartments, condos, townhomes, public housing, and retirement housing.
Exposure to secondhand smoke in the home can trigger asthma episodes, COPD flare-ups, infections and raise the risk for lung cancer, heart disease, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Research is also beginning to demonstrate the harms of exposure to thirdhand smoke – the sticky residue tobacco smoke leaves behind on surfaces.
RHA is a local leader in implementing smoke-free housing protections. We have worked with property managers, owners, residents, public housing authorities, local governments and health officials to establish thousands of units of smoke-free housing across Illinois.
Our Smoke-free Housing Toolkit is a step-by-step guide to establishing protections where you live. Visit the Smoke-Free section of our Library for additional smoke-free housing resources.
To make your building smoke-free, contact Erin Virgo, Program Director, via email at evirgo@resphealth.org.