Majority of Renters Want Smoke-Free
This and other key findings are the result of an April 2014 survey commissioned by the American Lung Association in California and CA4Health. Polling firm Goodwin Simon Strategic Research conducted the telephone survey of voters living in multi-unit housing from 12 counties across California.
This survey shows 69% of renters favor a rule to prohibit smoking in outdoor common areas of apartment buildings and 61% favor a ban on smoking inside apartment units.
High Levels of Concern about Second-Hand Smoke
More than nine in ten renters (92%) across the 12 counties believe that second-hand smoke is harmful if inhaled. Seventy-one percent say it is “very” harmful. Even among renters living in smoker households, the survey proved that 83% say second-hand smoke is harmful.
These responses have been very consistent across all the surveys this polling firm has conducted for the Lung Association over the past decade.
Over one-third (34%) say that second-hand smoke has in fact drifted into their rental unit in the past year.
Very Strong Support for Banning Smoking in Outdoor Common Areas
Sixty-nine percent of renters across the 12 counties would favor a prohibition on smoking in outdoor common areas of apartment buildings. Just 26% would oppose this rule, with the proportion “strongly” in favor exceeding the proportion “strongly “opposed by three to one: 51% strongly favor compared to 14% strongly opposed. A similar question was asked in all of our previous surveys for the Lung Association and we found very similar results in the past studies.
Majority Support for Banning on Smoking inside Apartment Units
By nearly two to one, renters would favor a ban on smoking within apartment units: 61% in favor and 34% opposed. Even among renters living in a smoking household, 45% would favor a ban on smoking inside units.
While these results are consistent with other studies, some landlords remain reluctant to adopt non-smoking bans for their properties. However, phasing in a ban has proven cost-effective for many others, and can eliminate liability for secondhand smoke illnesses.
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