Living Smoke Free

SHIP 3 Accomplishments

Coming soon!

SHIP 2 Accomplishments

Park Apartments - St. James

It takes someone to carry the ball, and that’s precisely what happened with the St James HRA to adopt and implement a smoke-free building policy that became effective on April 1, 2013.  Park Apartments is a 7 story building with 70 units and currently has 97 residents.  They also have 8 scattered homes that are included in the policy with 38 residents.  Linda Blackstad, HRA Director attended a CJFMW SHIP sponsored Lunch and Learn in Fairmont in Oct, 2012 and wanted to make smoke-free living a reality for their residents.  As the manager, she understood the many benefits for the HRA.  A tenant survey was conducted that showed that the majority of respondents were in favor of living in a smoke free building.  They also recognized the dangers of secondhand smoke.  Based on this survey, the HRA board passed a resolution on November 8 to adopt a smoke free building policy. They decided to regulate the use of tobacco products within their properties to ensure the health and safety of their residents.   The smoke-free policy covers all units, all common areas and 25 feet around the perimeter of the building with the exception of the outdoor patio.  E-cigarettes are also included in the definition of tobacco.

Resident education was held on Jan 16 with several residents in attendance.  They were surprised to learn about the 400-7000 toxic chemicals in secondhand smoke and want others to know that they are breathing in these chemicals when they are around people who smoke.    Several residents were willing to talk to local media during the resident education including KEYC TV based in Mankato MN.    Residents were also provided with cessation resources and information.

A new smoke-free building policy was written, tenant leases were revised to include an addendum that addresses the smoke-free policy and signed by each tenant.  New signs were placed on apartment property including at the parking lot entrances, on the front door, and around the building to indicate that smoking is only allowed 25’ from the building and on the patio.  Linda Blackstad, St James HRA Directors stated “CJFMW SHIP provided education to our board and tenants and were here to help up us celebrate.   SHIP also provided multiple options for smoking cessation help.”  On April 1, the St James HRA marked its new smoke-free building policy with an open house reception at Park Apartments.  This open house represented the culmination of efforts involving the HRA and CJFMW SHIP to promote a healthier environment for its residents.  The policy is good for everyone who lives, visits and works there!  CJFMW SHIP worked with Live Smoke Free-a non-profit program that promotes smoke-free apartments living throughout Minnesota.




Garden Court Apartments  - Winnebago

Without the support of SHIP, Lois Busse, Garden Court Apartment Manager in Winnebago would not have made the decision to adopt a smoke-free housing policy.    Lois attended a SHIP sponsored Lunch and Learn in Blue Earth in February 2013 that provided all the information and practical steps to adopt a smoke-free building policy. She wanted to create a healthier environment for their residents. Residents of Garden Court, a Theis and Talle Management Property, were surveyed that indicated that 90% of residents wanted a smoke-free building or did not have a preference.  Based on this survey, management decided to pass a smoke-free policy that set May 15, 2013 as the implementation date.  This gave smoking tenants enough time to seek assistance for quitting or options for alternative housing.  The smoke-free policy covers all units, all common areas, and 25 feet around the perimeter of the building, including the patio. The policy also includes e-cigarettes in their definition of tobacco products that are prohibited.  By adopting a smoke-free building policy, risk for serious or deadly fires is reduced, apartments are a more desirable place to live, and there are tremendous cost savings for the owners.   A smoke-free building is safer and contributes to a better living environment and exposure to secondhand smoke can be eliminated. SHIP provided support to every step from helping with lease addendums, resident education, cessation support for residents, signage, promotion and marketing with local media,  and enforcement.  New signs have been placed on apartment property including at the parking lot entrance, on the front door, by the elevators and signs will be placed around the building to indicate that smoking is only allowed 25’ from the building.  SHIP provided $250 for signs and expenses for the resident meetings.  One new resident voluntarily even has signed the new smoke-free lease addendum early as it seemed like a good way to help them quit.  Smoke-free policies are becoming the rental industry standard and Garden Court Apartment has joined this movement.  Lois is a champion for smoke-free housing and has made Garden Court Apartment the first smoke-free building policy a reality for Theis & Talle Properties with the help of SHIP.

NEW!! Testimonials from Tenants and Apartment Managers

DeeAnna Bakken, Executive Director Jackson HRA recognized allowing smoking in the building was something that needed to change.  She was aware of the negative health effects to residents as well as the cost associated with turning over units where residents smoked inside.  Prior to going smoke-free a resident on oxygen was having trouble due to neighbor smoking in their unit.  Bakken didn’t think it was fair to the non-smoking resident because she couldn’t do anything about it, but he could, he could go outside.  Residents who did smoke even told Bakken they were thankful for the policy because they stopped smoking and never would have without the policy.

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I’m glad the HRA went smoke free -– it gave me a reason to quit smoking and had you (we) remained a smoking building, I would have kept smoking. It was just the added little push I needed to quit!! Thanks!!

Cynthia Rienhardt –-  resident Jackson HRA

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The HRA went smoke free for all of our units (apartments, scattered sites, houses & duplexes) without grandfathering anyone and are glad to say that it has been a successful policy change for us. Not only are we protecting the rights of our non-smoking residents but we’ve eliminated thousands of dollars in maintenance expenses for our unit turnovers. It’s been a win-win for us!!

DeeAnna Bakken, Executive Director Jackson HRA

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Jim Ness, Owner of Homestead Realty in Winnebago, MN knows money is saved by adopting a smoke free policy for his apartment units and that helps his bottom line. Jim has several properties in Fairmont, Winnebago and Wells that are market rate as well as low income.  His first smoke free policy went into effect 10 years ago and as he has purchased new properties, they go smoke free as well.
“I just got done cleaning out a unit where the tenant smoked in the bathroom even though the property was smoke free.  We had to use KILZ Paint, an ozonator, and finally hired a professional to come in.  They even had to clean and sanitize the air ducts and bathroom vent.  With the painting and cleaning, we have $500 in this unit and may have to spend more”, Jim stated.

Jim also noted that smoke free policy saves time with maintenance and clean up of units when they turn over.  It’s quicker to turn units and get new tenants in.  That helps our bottom line.

I also know of two people who chose my property because they have asthma or allergies. People are looking for smoke free apartments even in the rural area.

I also hear from former smokers that they appreciate not smelling tobacco smoke.  They don’t want to be around tobacco once they have quit.  It’s good for everyone.

It’s the best thing to do for the property owner and for the tenants.  Jim would tell other apartment owners and managers to go smoke free.  Just look at what it costs to clean up a unit where someone has smoked. Going smoke free is becoming a “non-issue”.   These policies can be simple and they work!