Secondhand smoke regularly infiltrates 25% of nonsmokers' apartments in Westchester. It contains higher levels of carcinogens than smoke inhaled directly. Ventilation and air filtration systems cannot control secondhand smoke spread. A smoke-free policy is the only effective way to protect nonsmokers from the health risks of secondhand smoke in multi-unit housing settings like apartments. Several cities have implemented smoke-free policies for all multi-unit housing to improve residents' health.

1. In Multifamily Housing Secondhand Smoke WPSmokeFree.org March 18, 2009

3. Poll of Westchester Residents on Smoking *41% have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lives. **Secondhand smoke intrusion reported by multifamily housing residents who don't permit smoking in their homes. Telephone poll of a random sample of 500 Westchester adults (34% in multifamily housing) onducted for the POW’R Against Tobacco Coalition by Blum & Weprin Associates, Inc. from July 24 to August 9, 2007. Sampling error +/-4.5%. Proportion Who Smoke* • 10% of residents smoke • 7% daily • 3% occasionally Opinion on Secondhand Smoke • 69% say it is very harmful • 22% say it is somewhat harmful Smoking Banned By Choice • 78% of all homes • 87% of homes with children • 82% of family cars Secondhand Smoke Into Apartments** • 49% at some time • 25% at least a few times a week • 9% considered moving because of it

4. What you see (and smell) is smoke. It's what you can't see that kills!

5. Did You Know? Concentrations of many cancer-causing and toxic chemicals are higher in secondhand smoke than in the smoke inhaled by smokers!

9. If they smoke, then you do, too. As much as 60% of the air in an apartment may come from other units. Diamond RC, Feustel HE and Dickerhoff, DJ. 1996. "Ventilation and Infiltration in Highrise Apartment Buildings," Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, LBL Report LBL-38103.

11. A Smoke-Free Environment Is The Only Protection