Published on August 6, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lisa Berry Edwards
703-519-2107
Lisa.Berry@preventcancer.org
ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its final rule to protect residents in public housing facilities from secondhand smoke exposure. In the rule, HUD ordered all Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to implement smoke-free rules by July 31 of this year. More than 700,000 units will be directly impacted by this change.
The rule bans the use of cigarettes, cigars, pipes and hookahs in public housing facilities and outdoor areas within 25 feet of the property. The rule will not ban the use of electronic cigarettes. PHAs are also permitted to further restrict smoking to designated smoking areas, completely ban smoking on their grounds or restrict the use of electronic cigarettes on their grounds.
Smoking is the cause of about 85 percent of lung cancers, and is also associated with many other types of cancer, including breast, cervical, colorectal, liver, oral, and prostate cancers. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, and more than 7,000 people who have never smoked die from lung cancer each year in the United States. Implementing smoke-free policies can help protect nonsmoking individuals from exposure to toxic chemicals from tobacco products.
The Prevent Cancer Foundation® applauds HUD for its move to protect Americans in public housing units. Learn more about lung cancer prevention and early detection, and Stop Cancer Before It Starts!®
