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The BC Experience October, 2007. Approach in BC . Reduce exposure for residents in MUDs Educate Housing Providers – it’s legal Increase VOLUNTARY smoke-free policies T oxicity of the smoke – not the person who smokes. Stay under the media radar. What have we done?.
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Approach in BC • Reduce exposure for residents in MUDs • Educate Housing Providers – it’s legal • Increase VOLUNTARY smoke-free policies • Toxicity of the smoke – not the person who smokes Stay under the media radar
What have we done? • Develop Relationships & Partnership • Be Informed: Gather Data • Be Prepared: Develop Resources • Educated Others • Recommended Policy Guidelines • Identified Opportunities • Sought Funding
Develop Relationships • Key players - advice and challenges • Focused on non-profit housing association (BCNPHA) • Partnered with BCNPHA to educate members across province
Other partners • NSRA • CCTC • Canadian Smoke-free Housing Coalition
Gather Data • Collect relevant demographics • Identify business case • Identify extent of problem • Identify smoke-free places • 60% households rent in some areas • 86% of BCers are smoke-free • Untapped market • Reduced cleaning costs • Fewer complaints • 30% of all renters have experienced SHS in BC • Global Agencies • Envy – Condo • Westin / Marriott Hotels
Develop Resources • Fact Sheets • Legal precedents & arbitration successes • Legality of smoke-free policies health, economics, ventilation
Clean Air Coalition of BC website www.cleanaircoalitionbc.com
Educated Others • Workshops - public/private housing • Industry forums & conventions • Presentations at BCNPHA annual • Distributed educational letters through partner’s distribution systems • Prepared articles
Educate & Raise Awareness • Assisted residents with SHS problems • Lobbied Greater Vancouver Housing Corporation • Requested intervener status in human rights tribunal case
Lobby for Policy Guidelines • Lobbied Residential Tenancy Branch to enhance their Policy Guideline on ‘Quiet Enjoyment’ (e.g. Noise) • Wrote Minister of Housing
Opportunities • Landlords and the legal authority • Perception smoking is legal – SHS nuisance • Belief that the home is the castle
Opportunities • Grandfathering clauses • Economic argument • Resources – money and time • Learn from lessons in the past
National Website www.smokefreehousing.ca
Next steps in BC • Received funding to implement Smoke-free Housing – aged 19 to 29
Next steps in BC Primary Components include (con’t) • Smoke-Free Housing Pilot Project • Recruit Participants • Develop Strategic Plan for implementing Smoke-Free Policy • Implement Smoke-Free Policy • Track Progress and Lessons Learned • Community Forums • Develop workshops • Recruit participants from housing industry • Implement forums • Identify partnership opportunities • Identify interested participants for Pilot Project
Next steps in BC • Received funding to implement Smoke-free Housing – aged 19 to 29 • Maine video
Contact • Sharon Hammond (sharonhammond@telus.net) • Jack Boomer (jackboomer@shaw.ca)