Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing

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• What is Smoke-Free Muni-Unit Housing (SFMUH) and what are the current laws?

  SFMUH includes apartment buildings and condominiums that have either adopted a voluntary or policy-wide law that protects their residents from the harms of secondhand smoke.² 

  All low-income public housing is smoke-free nationwide. Although low-income public housing is now smoke-free, every city can still decide whether they want to adopt comprehensive smoke-free housing laws. In California, only 99 local policies exist. Learn more about the existing policies.

  The American Lung Association created local tobacco control grades in four categories, which gives us an idea of where local actions are needed and where the greatest public health benefit can be achieved. To see how San Diego County is doing with SFMUH laws, go to page 68 of the State of Tobacco Control Local Grades 2026.

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• What are the benefits of SFMUH laws?

  SFMUH laws can:³

  • Improve air quality 
  • Reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and improve the overall health of your family and even your pets
  • Save millions of dollars on cleaning costs and fire damage caused by smoking 
  • Reduce liability for property managers
  • Make properties more attractive to current and future residents

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• How can I get involved to make a difference in my community?

  Is secondhand smoke affecting your home? Find and contact your elected official. 

  You can also contact a local tobacco-prevention organization in your area: 

  Carlsbad, Escondido, Oceanside, and Vista 

      Vista Community Clinic @ Jennifer.Gill@vcc.org

  Carlsbad, Encinitas, Del Mar, and Solana Beach

      San Dieguito Alliance for Drug-Free Youth @ judistrang@earthlink.net

  Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, and San Diego

      Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) San Diego @ mbadiner@saysandiego.org

  San Diego

      Community Action Service & Advocacy (CASA) @ dcolbert@casaneighborhoods.org

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• Where can I find more information about SFMUH?

  Resources for: 

  Tenants

  Tenant Guide to Addressing Secondhand Smoke

  Handling Unwanted Tobacco Smoke in Apartments and Condominiums

  How Disability Laws Can Help Tenants Suffering from Drifting Tobacco Smoke

  Legal Options for Tenants Suffering from Drifting Tobacco Smoke

  There is no Constitutional Right to Smoke

  Condominium owners

  Secondhand Smoke in Condominiums - Legal Options for Owners

  How to Make a Condo Complex Smoke-Free

  Legal Options for Condominium Owners Exposed to Secondhand Smoke

  Options for Condo Owners Suffering from Drifting Secondhand Smoke

  Landlords and managers

  Good for Tenants Good for Landlords

  How Landlords Can Prohibit Smoking in Rental Housing

  Financial Burden of Smoking in Apartments

  Model Smoke-Free Lease Addendum

  Resources and Tools for Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing

  Secondhand Smoke in Apartments and Condominiums: A Guide for Owners and Managers

  Policy makers

  Advice for Enforcing a Smoke-Free Housing Policy

  First Steps Toward Making Affordable Housing Smoke-Free

  Implementing and Enforcing a Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing Ordinance

  Regulating Cannabis Smoking in Muli-Unit Housing

  Smoke-Free Housing Model Ordinance

  Looking for additional resources? Visit the American Non-Smokers' Rights Foundation. 

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• References and citations

  1.     Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About secondhand smoke. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/secondhand-smoke/index.html

  2.     American Lung Association. (2026, February 3). Smokefree policies in multi-unit housing. Retrieved from https://www.lung.org/policy-advocacy/tobacco/smokefree-environments/multi-unit-housing

  3.     American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation. (2025). The benefits of smokefree buildings; fact sheet. Retrieved from https://no-smoke.org/benefits-of-smokefree-buildings-fact-sheet/