The HUD Smoke-Free Rule: Perceptions of Residents Post-Implementation.
Friday, August 14, 2020
Posted by: Natalia Gromov
Lathen LS, Plears ML,
Shartle EL, Conner KL, Fiore MC, Christiansen BA.
The HUD Smoke-Free Rule:
Perceptions of Residents Post-Implementation.
Prev Med Rep. 2020;19:101159. Published 2020 Jul 9.
doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2020.101159
In July 2018, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
implemented a new Public health Agency rule prohibiting the use of tobacco in
and within 25 feet of HUD housing. A convenience sample of 574 residents living
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin multi-unit HUD complexes completed a survey from May
through July 2019, designed to assess their perceptions of the new policy and
its impact. Knowledge of the policy was strong, although continued educational
efforts are needed. Attitudes about the policy were generally positive,
although smokers held more negative attitudes than non-smokers. Some residents
desired more and fairer policy enforcement. Most residents reported that smoke
incursions were reduced post policy compared to pre policy, although such
incursions still occurred. The policy has had a favorable health impact on smokers;
over 80% made at least one positive change in their smoking, including 6.4% who
said the policy motivated them to quit. There was no evidence that residents
with mobility challenges were differentially affected by the policy. Overall,
the HUD smoke-free policy was well received, reduced self-reported exposure to
smoke and led most smokers to make positive changes in their smoking.
Additional education on the policy, improved enforcement, and cessation
services are needed.
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