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There is a lot of
information out there about smoking and smokers rights. So much
information, sometimes it is difficult to separate the myth from the
truth. Here is the truth:
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| Myth 1: If I implement a smoke-free policy, I will lose
money. |
| Actually,
you can save money by implementing a smoke-free policy. You will reduce
wear and tear, and save on cleaning and re-painting costs. In the U.S.
in the year 2002 an estimated $926 million in damages occurred in apartment fires - of which
cigarette smoking is the leading cause. (Source: NFPA Fire Analysis and
Research; Fire Loss in the U.S. During 2002) |
| Myth 2: A smoke-free policy will alienate tenants. I will
lose valuable residents. |
| In
Michigan, 80-90% of voters in several counties support smoke-free
legislation. According to a recent survey conducted in the Midwest,
nearly 75% of renters would prefer to live in smoke-free apartments.
Surveys taken in other parts of the country show a similar preference
for smoke-free apartments. For example, in a 2003 survey in Washington
state, two-thirds of renters surveyed preferred smoke-free housing.
Eighty percent of Michigan renters do not smoke; currently most
cannot find smoke-free apartments to rent. We can show you how to go smoke-free while keeping
your existing smoking tenants happy too.
(Source: Various surveys; see link to surveys below.)
A number of public
opinion surveys have found that a significant majority of tenants
support smoke-free apartment policies.
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| Myth 3: Enforcing a smoking ban would be too difficult. |
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Once you implement a policy, smoking
will be so noticeable by other residents that you are likely to hear
about it. Enforcing a smoking policy is a lot less of a headache than
mediating disputes between smokers and non-smokers without a policy in
place. You must be prepared to follow through with consequences; for
example, two warnings, then termination of the lease.
Now that you know the facts,
you may be ready for planning
and communication tools that make going smoke-free easier.
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