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Non-Regulatory Approaches to Advance Smoke-Free Housing Margaret Reid Boston Public Health Commission 5/29/2014. Boston’s Approach. Multi-level campaign launched in 2010 ending October 2012 re-launched in Spring 2014 Mix of incentives, systems changes and awareness building
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Non-Regulatory Approaches to Advance Smoke-Free Housing Margaret Reid Boston Public Health Commission 5/29/2014
Boston’s Approach • Multi-level campaign launched in 2010 ending October 2012 • re-launched in Spring 2014 • Mix of incentives, systems changes and awareness building • Promote non-regulatory sfh in Boston multi-family housing across the income spectrum • Target resources to housing for low and moderate income residents • Offer smoking cessation resources for staff and residents
Why Voluntary? • 2009 Massachusetts survey revealed high tenant demand, low availability and landlord confusion regarding legality • Board of Health was implementing a number of regulatory tobacco policies • Smoke free housing was a new concept, with many misconceptions • ‘Regulating low income residents’
Build into existing systems • Strong recommendation in all notice of grant awards for affordable housing development • First time home buyer classes • Boston Home Center • Section 8 landlord trainings
Technical Assistance and Training • To ensure successful transitions • Boston Housing Authority • 6 nonprofit community development corporations through competitive process • Section 8 landlords who own small properties through Section 8 administrators
Raise Awareness • Large public awareness campaign and earned media involving Mayor • Targeted to housers • Smoke Free Housing Registry and website
Facilitators • BHA took on highly visible role helped to move forward • Boston BRFSS data showing health and health behaviors by housing type • Strong leadership by Mayor • History of working with housers on environmental health • Excellent public insurance cessation benefit and nicotine patch give away.
Current Activities • Providing training and TA to 7 housers with 4,400 units. • Transitioned registry to Boston’s Office of Fair Housing and Equity which maintains rental housing listings. • Participating in CDC dissemination plan for smoke free housing video. • Potential for smoke-free check box in Boston’s required rental registry.
Funding Support • DHHS/CDC Communities Putting Prevention to Work, Tobacco Prevention Initiative • HUD Healthy Homes Demonstration grant • Boston Tobacco Prevention and Control Program