Home

Public Health Alerts

Clinic Locations

Programs and Services

Health Connection

Birth and Death Certificates

Request Records

Board of Health

Health Regulations

Environmental Health

Food Establishment/Restaurant Inspections

Emergency Preparedness

Employment

Media

About Us

Tenants

Secondhand smoke is a major cause of illness for many people.

Secondhand smoke also has a tendency to drift from unit to unit in apartment and condominium complexes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to secondhand smoke can cause heart and lung disease in nonsmoking adults as well as respiratory illness in children.

As a tenant of an apartment or condo, you have options to address drifting secondhand smoke that is affecting you and the health of your family.

Talk to the person who is smoking

If you know where the smoke is coming from and you feel comfortable, try talking to the person and politely inform them that you are being exposed to drifting smoke and ask if they could smoke outside or open some windows and/or use fans when they smoke inside.

Talk to your landlord

• Inform your community manager or property management company about the problem and suggest the possibility of adopting a smoke-free policy if they don’t already have one in place.
• If they are unwilling to adopt a smoke-free policy, you can ask if there is another apartment unit available that is away from drifting secondhand smoke.
• Ask if they can install door sweeps or change air filters in your buildings ventilation system.
• Provide them with information and materials regarding the cost and health benefits of a smoke-free policy. 

Talk to other residents in your complex

It’s possible that if you are experience issues with drifting secondhand smoke, there are other tenants that are experiencing the same thing. Talk to them and gain support for a smoke-free policy. This can be done by creating a petition and presenting it to your landlord or property management company.

Seek smoke-free housing

• Before renting, always ask if there is a smoke-free policy.
• Utah has a statewide directory that lists apartments and condos with smoke-free policies. Para español.

Tips

• Document all communication with your community's manager or owner.
• Keep a log with dates and times of when you notice secondhand smoke drifting into your residence.
• More tips on how to reduce secondhand smoke in your apartment or condo.

For more information about smoke-free policies
in apartment and condominium communities,
call (801) 468-2506.