No Smoking Policy

No Smoking Policy

As required by HUD, the Smithfield Housing Authority is hereby adopting a policy to forbid smoking in all of its structures and all property of Smithfield Housing Authority. It does not prohibit smoking by public housing residents. It just states where they cannot smoke. This policy shall go into effect on July 1, 2018.

Purpose:

1. This policy was developed to:
   1. Protect tenants from the medical hazards of second hand smoke;
   2. Protect lives and property from fires due to smoking accidents; and
   3. Reduce turnover costs associated with smoke damage in our residential units.
2. Definitions:
   
   1. Prohibited: Tobacco products items that involve the ignition and burning of tobacco leaves, such as (but not limited to) store bought or hand-rolled cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. This includes water pipes and/or hookahs.
   2. Restricted areas: Smoking is not allowed in any public housing living units and other interior areas. Interior areas include, but are not limited to, hallways, rental, and administrative offices,
      maintenance facilities, community centers, day care facilities, and similar structures. Smoking is also prohibited on the entire property owned by Smithfield Housing Authority.
   3. Designated smoking areas: There are no designated smoking areas on Smithfield Housing Authority Property.
   4. Covered individuals: This policy covers not only everyone living on the property, but also all guests and visitors. Each resident is responsible for his or her guests or visitors. Violations of this policy by an aide, guest or visitor will be considered to have been made by the resident(s) head of household.
3. The Policy: Beginning July 1, 2018, no lighted prohibited tobacco products will be allowed in restricted areas of the Smithfield Housing Authority (all public housing living units and other interior areas.
   1. Interior areas include, but are not limited to, hallways, lobbies, rental, and administrative offices, maintenance facilities, community centers, day care facilities, and similar structures.
   2. Smoking is also prohibited on the entire property owned by Smithfield Housing Authority. Residents, aides, visitors, and guests are all covered by this policy.
   3. Any costs incurred by the Smithfield Housing Authority due to a violation of this policy by a resident, an aide, visitor, or guest shall become the financial obligation of the resident.
4. Phase-In Period:
   1. All residents will need to sign a new lease incorporating this policy into the lease and sign a form attached to the end of this document acknowledging their understanding of the No Smoking Policy. The Smithfield Housing Authority has formed a partnership with the Johnston County Health Department to assist people who want to begin their effort to quit smoking even before the new No Smoking Policy goes into effect. People desiring a referral should contact Judy Goodwin at 919.934.9491. If the Johnston County Health Department cannot accept a resident or applicant into its stop smoking program, this is not a valid reason to continue smoking. This policy must be complied with in all situations.
   2. While the policy will not take effect until July 1, 2018, the Smithfield Housing Authority urges its smoking residents to begin their transition to a smoke-free life as soon as possible. The
      Smithfield Housing Authority recognizes that quitting smoking is a difficult task and urges its residents to give themselves as much time as possible to make the transition. Residents living in the property when this policy is adopted, have time to make the transition. This will not be the case for smokers admitted after the effective date of this policy. The fact that
      one smokes is not a valid reason for rejecting an applicant for public housing. However, smokers admitted after the effective date of this policy are expected to comply with the policy
      immediately upon their admission to public housing. For this reason, the Smithfield Housing Authority will offer a referral to a smoking cessation program both upon a request to join the
      public housing waiting list and upon reaching the top of the waiting list and getting close to being offered a public housing unit. Whether one takes advantage of the referral is totally up to the applicant.
5. Penalties for Violating this Policy:
   1. If a resident, aide, visitor or guest violates this policy the following penalties shall be enforced:
      • First Offense Oral Warning
      • Second Offense Written Warning
      • Third Offense Written Warning and a Referral to a Smoking Cessation Program if the violator is a resident
      • Fourth Offense $50 fine
      • Fifth Offense $100 fine
      • Sixth Offense Eviction
   2. If the violator is an aide, visitor or guest; the graduated penalty steps will start over with each annual lease renewal. There is no start over for a resident.
   3. All penalties assessed against a resident will be documented in the resident's file.
6. Disclaimer:
   1. The Smithfield Housing Authority's adoption of this policy does not change the standard of care it has for the living units or common areas.
   2. The Smithfield Housing Authority specifically disclaims any implied or express warranties concerning the air quality in either the living units or common area.
   3. There is no warranty or promise that the air will be smoke free.