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? We offer free support and counselling.

Call us at 905-799-7700 for more information or to book an appointment.
Learn more about the Peel Health Quit Smoking Program.

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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