According to Massachusetts Department of Public Health the prevalence of asthma in Massachusetts is among the highest in the nation. In 2007, about 1 in 10 people (9.9% of adults and 10.3% of children) were living with asthma and these numbers are expected to grow. Currently, the disease burden is highest among adult females and male children, and people with disabilities or lower socioeconomic status are disproportionately affected.
To try to combat this growing epidemic the North Shore Shared Public Health Service Program (NSSPHSP) was formed. The NSSPHSP is a grant funded collaborative between Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Marblehead, Nahant, Peabody, Salem, and Swampscott Boards of Health's. These eight communities have come together to improve their communities overall health through regional approaches.
One of their goals is to reduce the incidence of asthma related to second-hand smoke within multi-unit buildings. Why choose smoking in apartments and second hand smoke? Beyond the obvious health implications for the person smoking there is also increasing awareness that an individual's smoking habits can also affect other people living in the same complex and especially those living with asthma. When someone smokes within their unit they are often unaware of how the smoke can travel. Second-hand smoke can slip underneath doors and into common spaces, through walls into adjoining units, and through air vents into apartments above. Regardless of the precautions taken by the smoker such as, opening a window or having a fan on, smoke can find a way to drift into common areas and other units. When the second-hand smoke reaches someone who has asthma, it can trigger an asthma attack. Although smoking is only one trigger for people with asthma it is a very preventable one.
In September 2013 a meeting was held between key stake holders and the NSSPHSP about the effects smoking inside apartments has on the rest of the tenants living in the building. From this meeting public and private landlords on the North Shore made the decision to go smoke-free. On January 1st, 2014 the Danvers Housing Authority went smoke-free and on December 31st, 2014 the Marblehead Housing Authority will be following suit. The Peabody House, a privately-owned property in Peabody will also be implementing a smoke-free campus policy on August 1, 2014.
All across the country, the demand for smoke-free housing is increasing due to the overwhelming amount of data demonstrating the public health effects of second-hand smoke- as well as to accommodate tenant preferences. The campaign for smoke-free environments began in bars and restaurants, workplaces and now, more than ever, it is expanding to multi-family buildings. Within the public housing sector there are 24 housing authorities in Massachusetts (encompassing 50 cities and towns and 19,891 units) that have gone smoke-free. The list of smoke-free housing will only grow as more and more housing authorities and landlords in the private sector adopt smoke-free policies.
If you or someone you know is looking to quit here are some great resources available at low or no cost:
To try to combat this growing epidemic the North Shore Shared Public Health Service Program (NSSPHSP) was formed. The NSSPHSP is a grant funded collaborative between Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Marblehead, Nahant, Peabody, Salem, and Swampscott Boards of Health's. These eight communities have come together to improve their communities overall health through regional approaches.
One of their goals is to reduce the incidence of asthma related to second-hand smoke within multi-unit buildings. Why choose smoking in apartments and second hand smoke? Beyond the obvious health implications for the person smoking there is also increasing awareness that an individual's smoking habits can also affect other people living in the same complex and especially those living with asthma. When someone smokes within their unit they are often unaware of how the smoke can travel. Second-hand smoke can slip underneath doors and into common spaces, through walls into adjoining units, and through air vents into apartments above. Regardless of the precautions taken by the smoker such as, opening a window or having a fan on, smoke can find a way to drift into common areas and other units. When the second-hand smoke reaches someone who has asthma, it can trigger an asthma attack. Although smoking is only one trigger for people with asthma it is a very preventable one.
In September 2013 a meeting was held between key stake holders and the NSSPHSP about the effects smoking inside apartments has on the rest of the tenants living in the building. From this meeting public and private landlords on the North Shore made the decision to go smoke-free. On January 1st, 2014 the Danvers Housing Authority went smoke-free and on December 31st, 2014 the Marblehead Housing Authority will be following suit. The Peabody House, a privately-owned property in Peabody will also be implementing a smoke-free campus policy on August 1, 2014.
All across the country, the demand for smoke-free housing is increasing due to the overwhelming amount of data demonstrating the public health effects of second-hand smoke- as well as to accommodate tenant preferences. The campaign for smoke-free environments began in bars and restaurants, workplaces and now, more than ever, it is expanding to multi-family buildings. Within the public housing sector there are 24 housing authorities in Massachusetts (encompassing 50 cities and towns and 19,891 units) that have gone smoke-free. The list of smoke-free housing will only grow as more and more housing authorities and landlords in the private sector adopt smoke-free policies.
If you or someone you know is looking to quit here are some great resources available at low or no cost:
- Massachusetts Smokers' Helpline:
- Free telephone based counseling 1-800- QUIT-NOW
- Free telephone based counseling 1-800- QUIT-NOW
- MassHealth & Commonwealth Care Members:
- Free tobacco cessation counseling and FDA-approved medicines that are covered with your regular co-pay.
- MassHealth Customer Service: 1-800-841-2900
- Commonwealth Care Member Services: 1-877-623-6765
- MassHealth Customer Service: 1-800-841-2900
- Free tobacco cessation counseling and FDA-approved medicines that are covered with your regular co-pay.
- Make Smoking History Website:
- Free Educational Materials and quit smoking tips: www.makesmokinghistory.org
- Free Educational Materials and quit smoking tips: www.makesmokinghistory.org
- Centers for Disease Control:
- Online Quitting site: www.smokegree.gov
- Online Quitting site: www.smokegree.gov
- QUiTWORKS:
- A combination of counseling and medication with a doctor referral
- More information available at: www.quitworks.com
- More information available at: www.quitworks.com
- A combination of counseling and medication with a doctor referral
- Freedom from Smoking
- In person, small group counseling sessions at Lahey Hospital in Burlington and Peabody
- For more information call: 781-744-7848
- For more information call: 781-744-7848
- In person, small group counseling sessions at Lahey Hospital in Burlington and Peabody