Lakeside CDC is teaming with the Chicago Tobacco Prevention Project to promote smoke-free housing to multi-unit buildings and condominium associations in Chicago. We can help your building adopt reasonable smoke-free policies, which will help reduce or eliminate environmental smoke. A smoke-free housing policy translates into a healthier life for residents, children, seniors, and people with chronic diseases such as: asthma, cardiac disease, diabetes and other health problems. Smoke-free housing can also help lower rehab costs, reduce turnover and clean-up costs, lower risks for fire, and increase higher property values. In some cases, smoke-free policies can help lower your insurance costs.

Economic Benefits of Smoke- Free Housing

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, there is no safe level of second hand smoke, There are more than 700 chemicals in cigarettes, including hundreds of hazardous elements and at least 69 carcinogens.

• 35%-65% of the air in any given unit is shared air from other units and common areas.
• Living in a building where smoking indoors is allowed increases the risk of heart attacks, stroke, lung cancer and early death.
• 443,000 deaths are caused by smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke in the U.S. each year.
• 1 in 5 Chicagoland residents are estimated to be affected by lung diseases such as asthma, COPD and lung cancer.
• 47% of Chicago renters say they would be more likely to rent in a smoke-free building.
• 32% of Chicago renters sat they would be willing to pay more to live in a smoke-free building.

Creating a smoke-free policy saves money and time for property managers and landlords by reducing operating costs and offering incentives for loans, grants and tax-credit incentives.

• Smokefree units have much lower rehab costs for carpeting, floors, fixtures, counter tops and appliances that are not damaged from smoking burns, odors, or nicotine stains:
• Faster turnover time to re-rent: apply one coat of paint vs. need to wash, prime and paint walls from nicotine stain and odors.
• Less wear 'n' tear on ventilation systems.
• Lower fire risks, which in turn reduces property damage.
  • Smoking is the leading cause of elderly and multifamily residential fire deaths.
  • The National Fire Prevention Association recommends no smoking during portable oxygen use in any portion of a residence to reduce the risk of explosions and fires.
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Our Services Include:

• Technical Assistance for Community Associations, Property Managers, and Residents
• Free educational webinars
• An informative smoke-free toolkit (download). En español, visite·aqui
• One-on-one technical assistance to help with smokefree housing policies and problems.

Scientific Studies Support Smokefree Housing

The Office of the U.S. Surgeon General issued a December 2010 report on how tobacco use causes disease, concluding that even occasional exposure to tobacco smoke is harmful and damage is immediate. The report states, "No one should have to breathe secondhand smoke at work or in public places, and parents should ensure that homes, cars and other places frequented by children are smoke-free." "Federal, state and local policymakers need to step up their efforts to implement proven measures that reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke."

The January 2011 issue of the Pediatrics Journal published a study by the University of Rochester Medical Center and MassGeneral Hospital that shows significant evidence of tobacco smoke exposure in the blood of children from smokefree apartments who live in a smoking-permitted MUH building. View the press release announcing this study and the abstract from the published study.

Smoke-Free Housing News:

• "Grants Awarded to Make Housing in Chicago Healthier" – Chicagoland Real Estate Forum, July 12, 2011

• "Grants to Help Push Smoke-Free Buildings" - ABC7 Chicago, July 10, 2011

• "Public Housing Going Smoke-free" – Chicago Tribune, May 5, 2011

• Smoke-free Condos in Vogue – Chicago Journal, December 30, 2010

If you are interested in learning more about our Smoke-free Housing Initiative, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Community Associations Specialist, at (773) 381-5253 x103.

Last updated on 11/2011