Smoke-free Housing: Clean, Safe, and Cost-Effective
Have you ever smelled smoke in your apartment even though you don’t smoke? You’re not imagining it. Smoke and vapor drift easily through shared walls, vents, and hallways, impacting everyone in the building.
Across Vermont, residents are increasingly speaking up: they want smoke- and vape-free homes. What some may brush off as a nuisance is actually a serious health and safety concern. In Vermont 43% of adults report they were exposed to secondhand smoke in the last 7 days, with half reporting exposure in public settings. And the danger doesn’t stop when the smoke clears. It seeps into carpets, furniture, paint, and ventilation systems, lingering long after use.
Secondhand smoke is harmful at any level, and vape devices add new risks, from hazardous waste to fire hazards during charging or when discarded improperly.
For families, residents, and property managers, adopting smoke- and vape-free housing is more than just a rule, it’s a way to ensure comfort, protect health, and create peace of mind for everyone who calls that property a home. Together, we can build safer, healthier living spaces where all Burlington residents can thrive.
Why Smoke-Free Housing Matters
Health Impacts
Secondhand smoke is linked to asthma attacks, respiratory infections, heart disease, and reduced quality of life. The data is sobering: more than 60,000 Vermont adults and 7% of children live with asthma, and over half of them have uncontrolled symptoms. More than 20% of asthma cases are considered moderate to severe, placing Vermont among the highest rates in the nation. These numbers highlight the important role property owners and managers play in protecting residents by maintaining smoke-free housing.
Thirdhand Smoke
Even after visible smoke clears, toxic particles remain. This “thirdhand smoke” clings to walls, clothing, and furniture, creating ongoing exposure, especially dangerous for children, pets, and people with compromised immune systems. Adopting smoke-free housing policies reduces these costly hidden risks, offering families and property managers peace of mind. Having policies in place can save lives and money: How Smoking Violations Increase Costs for Affordable Housing Property Managers
Safety and Fire Risk
Smoking and vaping devices also bring safety hazards. Improperly discarded cigarettes or devices, whether in hallways, trash chutes, or shared bins, can spark fires that can spread quickly. Smoke- and vape-free policies lower these risks, making buildings safer for everyone.
Vermont Law Provides Protections
Vermont’s Smoke-Free Laws and Clean Indoor Air Act protects people from secondhand smoke exposure. Smoke- and vape-free public spaces are recognized as both a public health priority and a right, emphasizing that everyone has the right to breathe clean, smoke-free air and that exposure to secondhand smoke is harmful at any level.
What Property Managers Can Do: Recommendations & Ideas
Adopt or Update a Smoke- and Vape-Free Policy
Use the VT Health toolkit below to draft clear lease addenda and inform new residents from move-in.Provide Clear Signage & Information
Post “No Smoking/Vaping” signs in common areas and near entrances. Free signage is available from the VT Department of Health.Educate Residents
Share information about secondhand and thirdhand smoke, health risks, and resources like 802Quits. Put up posters and provide materials on the property to reinforce smoke-free culture. Link to order free materials.Include Rules in Resident Manuals
Make expectations clear in leases and procedure manuals, including consequences for violations (e.g., warnings, mediation, eviction).Offer Conflict Resolution Support
Refer neighbors in conflict to mediation or restorative justice resources to resolve issues respectfully.Support Residents Who Want to Quit
Promote 802Quits and MyLife MyQuit. Consider hosting quit groups and providine quit kits and materials on site.
Burlington Partnership for a Healthy Community is here to support you in starting the conversation. Together, we can create homes that feel healthier, safer, and more comfortable for everyone.
Local Resources to Help You Go Smoke-Free
🏠 Smoke- & Vape-Free Housing Toolkit from the Vermont Department of Health
Sample tenant surveys
Lease addenda and letters to residents
Free signage
Step-by-step guidance for creating and maintaining smoke- and vape-free policies
📞 802Quits a quit-nicotine program free to all Vermonters
One-on-one coaching by text or phone
Nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum, lozenges)
Rewards programs
Posters, rack cards, and other materials for property managers to share
👩👦 MyLife MyQuit a free quit-nicotine program for teens and young adults
One-on-one text and or phone coaching
Confidential, supportive conversations designed for young people
Provides online tools and tips to support your quit
🌿 My Healthy Vermont free local quit support groups
In-person and virtual quit groups
Support from local trained coaches
Practical tools to make quitting easier and more sustainable
Conflict Resolution & Restorative Justice Support
Burlington Community Justice Center: Mediation, conflict coaching, and restorative approaches to neighbor-to-neighbor disputes.
Restorative Community Practice of Vermont: Free circle facilitation, listening sessions, and conflict resolution tools.
