Effective April 1,2013, the Meridian Housing Authority is proposing to implement a “non-smoking policy “in all facilities and residential dwelling units managed by the agency. The proposal is strongly supported by MHA Resident Advisory Board leaders who are encouraging healthy living habits for residents. Increased maintenance cost due to smoking has also lead MHA to expedite Board approval of the proposed policy.
“According to the Lung Association, cigarette smoking is the number one cause of preventable disease in the United States.
The elderly and youth populations residing in properties owned and managed by the Meridian Housing Authority, as well as people with chronic illnesses, are especially vulnerable to the adverse effects of smoking.
The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, P.L.111-31, signed by President Obama on June 22, 2009 documented that Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) or second hand smoke can migrate between units in multifamily and public housing units causing respiratory illness, heart disease, cancer and other adverse health effects in neighboring families.
MHA records also indicate that cigarette smoking is a proven source of major property damage and fire related injuries on several of its facilities.
Property management records indicate that thousands of dollars of increased maintenance cost occur when apartments are vacated by smokers.
Manual labor required to cover smoke stains, change air filters, clean air ducts, replace stained window blinds or replace carpet damaged by cigarettes, has increased the cost necessary to make a unit “occupancy ready” at MHA.
Because tobacco smoking is an addictive behavior, both MHA’s Occupancy and Community and Supportive Service Departments will provide residents with referrals and information pertaining to local smoking cessation resources and programs especially during the policy transition period.
A draft copy of the policy will be posted for approximately 60 days beginning September 1, 2012 in all MHA administration buildings and property management offices. You can also view the “proposed MHA non-smoking policy draft” at www.meridianhousing.net All comments are welcomed and encouraged.
Please attend your monthly resident meeting to hear more information regarding the non-smoking proposal.
For further information related to this proposed policy, please contact, Ron Turner Sr.MHA Executive Director at 601-693-4285.
Ronald J. Turner, Sr., Executive Director
