Secondhand Smoke & Multi-Unit Housing
Living in an apartment, condominium, or other multi-unit building means sharing more than walls. Tobacco smoke can travel between units and common areas, making it difficult to avoid exposure even if smoking is not allowed inside your own home.
If you have asthma, COPD, heart disease, allergies, or young children at home, secondhand smoke drifting into your living space can be especially concerning.
How Does Smoke Travel?
Smoke can move from one unit to another through:
- Heating and ventilation systems
- Hallways and stairwells
- Doors and windows
- Electrical outlets
- Plumbing openings
- Small cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings
Even if you cannot see the smoke, you may still notice the smell or experience symptoms.
What Can You Do?
If smoke is entering your home, consider these steps:
- Review your lease, condominium documents, or community policies to see whether smoking is restricted.
- Keep a record of when smoke enters your home, including dates, times, and where it seems to be coming from.
- If you feel comfortable, speak respectfully with your neighbor. They may not realize smoke is entering your unit.
- Contact your landlord, property manager, or condominium association to discuss the issue and ask what options are available.
- If other residents are experiencing similar concerns, work together to encourage smoke-free building policies.
- Share any symptoms or health concerns with your healthcare provider.
Can Smoke Be Stopped?
Air purifiers may help reduce smoke particles already inside your home, but they cannot prevent smoke from entering your unit. Likewise, opening windows, using fans, or sealing small gaps may reduce odors but usually will not eliminate secondhand smoke if it continues to migrate from neighboring units.
The most effective way to reduce exposure is through comprehensive smoke-free building policies.
Know Your Rights
Rules about smoking in multi-unit housing vary depending on:
- Whether the property is privately owned or publicly subsidized
- Local and state laws
- Building policies or lease agreements
Some apartment communities and condominium associations choose to adopt smoke-free policies to help create healthier living environments for everyone.
If you have questions about smoke-free housing or need help finding local resources, Breathe New Hampshire may be able to connect you with information and support.
Why Property Owners and Managers Choose Smoke-Free Policies
Smoke-free housing benefits everyone in a building, not just residents who don't smoke. Many property owners and management companies have adopted smoke-free policies because they can create healthier, cleaner, and more desirable communities.
Benefits of Smoke-Free Housing
- Promotes resident health. Smoke-free policies help reduce exposure to secondhand smoke for children, older adults, and people living with asthma, COPD, heart disease, and other health conditions.
- Reduces maintenance costs. Units where smoking is prohibited often require less cleaning, repainting, odor removal, and replacement of carpets, blinds, and fixtures between tenants.
- Helps protect property. Tobacco smoke residue can stain walls and ceilings, damage finishes, and leave persistent odors that are difficult to remove.
- Reduces fire risk. Smoking remains one of the leading causes of preventable residential fires, making smoke-free policies an important safety measure.
- Meets resident demand. Many renters and buyers actively seek smoke-free communities and appreciate policies that help maintain clean indoor air.
- Supports a positive community environment. Clear policies can reduce complaints between neighbors and help create a healthier living environment for everyone.
Going smoke-free doesn't require current residents to quit using tobacco. Most smoke-free housing policies simply prohibit smoking inside apartments, condominiums, and indoor common areas while allowing residents to smoke in designated outdoor locations, if provided.
Effective Signage Helps Support Smoke-Free Policies
Clear, visible signage helps residents, visitors, and staff understand where smoking and vaping are not allowed and reinforces a building’s smoke-free policy.
Effective signage should be:
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Clear and easy to understand — Use simple language and the recognized no-smoking symbol.
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Visible and consistent — Place signs where they can be easily seen, such as entrances, common areas, hallways, stairwells, and laundry rooms.
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Posted throughout the property — Consistent signage helps ensure residents and visitors are aware of the policy.
Providing residents and visitors with clear information about a smoke-free policy is an important step in creating a healthier, more comfortable living environment.
Download Smoke-Free Housing Signs → CLICK HERE
