STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR NON-SMOKING

CHAPTER__ - PH NON-SMOKING PROCEDURE

PROCEDURE NUMBER:______

TITLE:SOP FOR NON-SMOKING IN PUBLIC HOUSING

EFFECTIVE DATE:07/01/2011

NON-SMOKING IN PUBLIC HOUSING

A.Purpose

The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to establish guidelines for promoting and enforcing the non-smoking policy for public housing communities. The policy is designed to eliminate the health and environmental risks in public housing that are associated with smoking.

B.Introduction

On July 17, 2009, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published “NOTICE: PIH-2009-21 (HA)”, with the subject Non-Smoking Policies in Public Housing. The noticeencourages public housing authorities to adopt non-smoking policies in some or all of its public housing communities. The issuance of this notice was to support the “Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, P.L. 111-21” signed by the President on June 22, 2009. Because Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) can migrate between units in multifamily housing, causing respiratory illness, heart disease, cancer, and other adverse health effects in neighboring families, the Department is encouraging PHAs to adopt non-smoking policies.

C.Background
  1. According to the American Lung Association, cigarette smoking is the number one cause of preventable disease in the United States. The elderly and young populations, as well as people with chronic illnesses, are especially vulnerable to the adverse effects of smoking. In 2006, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published The Heath Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General. The report defines secondhand smoke; in the past referred to as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), as smoke composed of side-stream smoke (the smoke released from the burning end of a cigarette) and exhaled mainstream smoke (the smoke exhaled by the smoker). The report issued major conclusions based on scientific data, including the following:
  1. The scientific evidence indicates that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
  2. Eliminating smoking in indoor spaces fully protects nonsmokers from exposure to secondhand smoke. Separating smokers from nonsmokers, cleaning the air, and ventilating buildings cannot eliminate exposures of nonsmokers to secondhand smoke.
  1. In January of 2011 all public housing residents were mailed a survey to gauge their preference regarding smoking in SAHA’s communities. Of the 6,319 public housing surveys sent out, we received responses from 2,202 (35%). The success in receiving such a large number of responses indicates the importance of this subject to SAHA public housing residents. The summary of responses are as follows:
  1. 54% of the responders indicated they wanted SAHA to implement a non-smoking policy,
  2. 31% were against the implementation of a non-smoking policy and
  3. 15% did not have a preference
  1. As the surveys had been sent out in January 2011, SAHA began work on the 2001 Moving to Work (MTW) Plan. The MTW Plan process involves a review of policies, with a public comment period, meetings with residents, and then submitting the plan for approval by HUD. Once approved by HUD the plan is implemented effective with the beginning of the fiscal year. Based on the responses of the survey the non-smoking policy in public housing was included as a part of the 2011 MTW Plan.
  1. HUD has approved the new policy as part of the MTW plan, and the effective date for implementation is July 1, 2011.
D.Applicability
  1. This operating procedure and applicable non-smoking policy will be followed by all public housing communities; to include: all property staff, residents, and guests.
  1. There is no provision for “grandfathering” of current residents; all residents and their guests will be expected to adhere to the non-smoking policy.
E.Guidelines
  1. On July 1, 2011, SAHA will execute the non-smoking policy for public housing communities. The list of communities has been selected at random for implementation.
  1. Beginning 8/1/2011 (to allow for a 30 day notice), the first group of properties (15 each) will have the non-smoking policy in effect.
  2. Following the initial implementation, SAHA will continue to designate additional non-smoking communities each quarter (10/1/11, 1/1/12 and 4/1/12) until all communities have been designated as non-smoking.
  1. Upon notification of the designation to the community, management staff will contact each resident and ensure they execute the Non-Smoking Addendum to the SAHA Dwelling Lease Agreement.
  1. All addenda will be executed prior to the implementation of the non-smoking policy for a designated community.
  2. All adult members residing in the unit must sign the addendum.
  3. The addendum will be signed at the time of the community implementation, regardless of the households’ recertification status. The addendum will be resigned at the time of the next recertification, regardless of the proximity to the community’s policy implementation.
  1. Non-smoking signs will be posted in the community at each entrance and exit to the building as well as in community space. Smoking cessation material will be made available at the locations for resident use.
  2. Service providers will be made aware of the implementation of the non-smoking policy as it applies to the community.
F.Non-Compliance
  1. Failure to execute a non-smoking lease addendum will be grounds for termination of the dwelling lease agreement between SAHA and the resident.
  1. Failure to adhere to the non-smoking lease addendum will result in a lease violation notice.

.

G.References

1. NOTICE: PIH-2009-21 (HA)

2. FAMILY SMOKING PREVENTION AND TOBACCO CONTROL ACT, P.L. 111-31:

  1. THE HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF INVOLUNTARY EXPOSURE TO SECONDHAND SMOKE: