PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Department of Health has recognized all 25 of the state’s public-housing authorities for meeting full state compliance with a new federal rule prohibiting smoking inside public housing units that will protect about 15,000 multifamily housing residents from secondhand smoke.
The public housing authorities have implemented smoke-free policies that meet or exceed a new rule from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, which took effect July 31. Under the new federal rule, no smoking is allowed indoors anywhere; outdoors, cigarettes may not be smoked within 25 feet of buildings to help prevent smoke from drifting indoors through windows and doors.
Residents who smoke are not banned from living within a PHA residence but are asked to smoke outdoors beyond established buffer zones.
“Everyone in every community deserves to breathe clean air where they live and work,” said Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, director of the R.I. Department of Health. “We applaud all of our state’s public-housing authorities’ staff who worked with their residents closely in recent years to meet HUD’s new requirements. Many of our forward-thinking PHAs have exceeded HUD’s minimum requirements to protect residents from more toxic chemicals from other products and have taken extra steps to listen to smokers’ concerns and help connect those who want to quit to no-cost cessation services. This is a big step in our collective efforts to build more just, equitable communities in every corner of Rhode Island.”
In recent years, some public-housing authorities have adopted stronger “clean air” policies, by setting larger outdoor buffer zones, banning all outdoor smoking entirely and/or restricting the use of burned products such as incense, hookah and e-cigarettes. Such “no burn” policies are typically detailed in residents’ leases. Any residents with questions should contact their housing manager or refer to their signed lease.
Residents seeking more information about smoke-free public environments may contact the state’s Tobacco Control Program’s Live Smoke Free program at (401) 222-7637.
Rob Borkowski is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Borkowski@PBN.com.
