Smoke-free Homes

There is no safe amount of exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS)

• A home is smoke-free when...
• Smoke-free Homes make a difference
• How to make your home smoke-free
• Make the commitment and keep it!
• Second-hand smoke in apartments, condos, and other multi-unit dwellings (MUDs)?
• Smoke-free multi-unit dwelling (MUD) resources
• FREE help to quit smoking

A home is smoke-free when...

• Smoking is NOT allowed inside the home at any time.
• Every room in the home is 100% smoke-free.
  

Smoke-free homes make a difference

• Second-hand smoke spreads to every room of a house – even when the doors are closed and windows are open. ²
• Air cleaning systems can’t remove all the small particles and gases in second-hand smoke. ²
  

How to make your home smoke-free

• Tell others your reasons for having a smoke-free home.
• If a friend or family member doesn't like your decision, be supportive but firm in your commitment to protect yourself, your family and your guests from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. ²
• Celebrate your decision to protect loved ones from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. ²

Make the commitment — and keep it!

Creating a smoke-free home takes some time, effort and self-discipline, but it’s worth it!

Start by

• Removing all ashtrays from your home.
• Setting up smoking areas outdoors that are away from doors and windows. ²
• Setting the day for going smoke-free. Don’t let anyone smoke in your home after this date.
• Telling visitors that smoking is not allowed inside your home by displaying “smoke-free” decals or signs on widows or doors

Other benefits of a smoke-free home

• The air will smell fresher and cleaner. ²
• Smoke-free homes have a lower risk of fires. ²

Second-hand smoke in apartments, condos, and other multi-unit dwellings (MUDs)

A multi-level dwelling is a building that contains more than one living unit ³ such as:

• Hi-rise apartment buildings
• Condominiums
• Townhouses
• Duplexes
• Semi-detached houses
• Houses partitioned into apartment units
• Basement suites
• People that live in a multi-unit dwelling are more likely to notice second-hand smoke (SHS) entering their unit. ⁴
• Second-hand smoke can seep through shared ventilation systems or crevices around doors, windows or electrical outlets into neighbouring units. ³

Smoke-free multi-unit dwelling (MUD) resources

• Visit Smoke-Free Housing Ontario to learn how you can avoid exposure to SHS in multi-unit residential dwellings (MUDs)

Free help to quit smoking

Ready to quit smoking?

Call us at 905-799-7700 for more information.

We can also provide more information about the health effects of smoking, second-hand smoke and how to create smoke-free spaces.

References

1. ¹ Government of Ontario. (1994). Smoke-Free Ontario Act, S.O. 1994 c. 10 Accessed February 5, 2010.
2. ² Health Canada (2006). Make your Home and Car Smoke-Free: A Guide to Protecting your Family from Second-hand Smoke. (PDF). Accessed February 5, 2010.
3. ³ The Non-Smoker’s Right’s Association (NSRA). (2006). When Neighbours Smoke: Exposure to Drifting Second-hand Smoke in Multi-Unit Dwellings (PDF). Accessed February 5, 2010.
4. ⁴ The Ontario Tobacco Research Unit (OTRU). (2009). Reports of Tobacco Smoke Entering Ontario Homes (PDF). OTRU Update. March 2009. Accessed February 5, 2010.

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