Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - The Sioux Empire Tobacco-Free (SET-Free) Coalition, Live Well Sioux Falls, the American Lung Association, and the Carroll Institute hosted a workshop today for owners and managers of multiunit housing properties to learn how to implement a smoke-free policy at their properties.
“Smoke-free housing is not just a growing health trend across the US, but also a smart business decision, considering that eight out of ten adults don’t smoke,” said Pat McKone of the American Lung Association, the workshop keynote presenter.
McKone and the other presenters at the Breath of Fresh Air workshop provided attendees with information on current trends around the country, legal information about implementing a smoke-free policy, resources to assist both property owners and residents, and testimonials from local property owners and residents.
Encouraging more smoke-free housing is one of the goals of the SET‑Free Coalition and Live Well Sioux Falls.
“Smoke-free policies allow tenants to enjoy their homes without being exposed to the deadly chemicals found in secondhand smoke,” said Mary Michaels, Healthy Community Specialist with the Sioux Falls Health Department’s Live Well Sioux Falls initiative. “Secondhand smoke has been linked to diseases such as cancer, asthma, heart disease, respiratory illness, ear infections, and low birth weight.”
Smoke-free policies have proven health benefits, but there are additional benefits for property owners.
“Offering a smoke-free environment is the right decision for the health and well-being of residents who live in close proximity to one another,” said Fran Rice, director of the SET-Free Coalition. “But, it also has real benefits to the property owner in reduced maintenance costs and improved safety. Smoking-related fires are deadly and costly.”
For more information and resources on smoke-free multiunit housing, including a downloadable toolkit, visit www.livewellsiouxfalls.org and click on “Breathe Well.” To reach the SET-Free Coalition, call 605-371-1000; to contact Live Well Sioux Falls, call 605-367-8760 or email livewell@siouxfalls.org.