HUD Wants to Ban Smoking in Public Housing

HUD recently announced a proposed rule that would require public housing authorities that administer public housing to implement a smoke-free policy. This proposed rule would apply to all public housing, other than dwelling units in mixed-finance buildings. HUD is proposing the implementation of smoke-free public housing to improve indoor air quality in the housing, benefit the health of public housing residents and PHA staff, reduce the risk of catastrophic fires, and lower overall maintenance costs.

No later than 18 months from the effective date of the final rule, each PHA will need to implement a policy prohibiting lit tobacco products in all living units, indoor common areas in public housing, and in PHA administrative office buildings (in brief, a smoke-free policy for all public housing indoor areas). The smoke-free policy must also extend to all outdoor areas up to 25 feet from the housing and administrative office buildings.

Comments on this proposed rule are due by Jan. 19.