Tracy Orleans,
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
July 22, 2009
Note: the following post is from Tracy Orleans, Senior Scientist for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
In a notice released on Friday, HUD strongly encouraged Public Housing Authorities to prohibit smoking in all public housing to improve the health of residents and reduce smoking-related fires. The measure – available on the HUD website here – follows the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act that President Obama signed at the end of June. HUD’s new position on non-smoking policies in public housing marks the first time the Department has issued guidance on the issue.
HUD is to be congratulated for taking this important step to limit exposure to second hand smoke and provide yet another reason for smokers to quit. The home is the primary place in which children and adults are exposed to secondhand smoke—and low-income Americans are more at risk for this exposure than are those with higher incomes. More than 1.2 million people currently reside in public housing in the United States. Of those, 54 percent are either young (0-17) or elderly (62+), which puts them at a higher risk for the adverse effects of smoking. In children, secondhand smoke exposure increases the frequency and severity of asthma symptoms and the risk of developing asthma, and causes up to 300,000 cases of respiratory infections like bronchitis and pneumonia each year. Nationwide, smoking kills more than 400,000 people prematurely each year, including nearly 50,000 deaths of non-smoking adults from secondhand smoke. These are sobering statistics.
Now, we have to make sure that smokers in public housing have access to effective cessation. 1-800-QUITNOW is the place for them to get the help they need. Let’s make sure they know about it.
When the Commission released its recommendations in April, it recognized the need to reduce tobacco’s drain on America’s health. The Commission called for America to “become a smoke-free nation,” setting a goal that is high, achievable, and necessary if we are to help all Americans live longer, healthier lives.
For more information about HUD’s plan to reduce the harmful effects of smoking, including details on implementation, indoor air quality improvement and smoking cessation programs, download the full notice from the HUD website here.
We welcome your comments below.