Smoke-Free Housing in Multi-Unit Dwellings (MUDs) Initiative

The Heart & Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon (HSFBCY) and BC Lung Association are members of the BC Healthy Living Alliance (BCHLA). The BCHLA is a provincial coalition of organizations working together to improve the health of British Columbians by promoting physical activity, healthy eating and living smoke-free. In 2006, the provincial government, through ActNow BC, awarded the BCHLA a one-time grant to address the risk factors of smoking, unhealthy eating and physical activity. A strategy was developed for each risk factor, and in the fall of 2007, the BCHLA developed a Tobacco Reduction Strategy with the goal of contributing to their Winning Legacy target that 9 out 10 British Columbians will not use tobacco products.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon is the lead organization, on behalf of the BCHLA, tasked with implementing the Smoke-Free Housing in Multi-Unit Dwellings (MUDs) Initiative. The purpose of the MUDs Initiative is to increase options for smoke-free living spaces in apartments and condominiums across BC. Its aim is to reduce the number of British Columbians being involuntarily exposed to second-hand smoke in their own homes.

Part of the initiative includes making landlords and strata corporations aware that it's legal to adopt a smoke-free policy and that there is a tremendous unmet demand for smoke-free living in the multi-housing community. As well, resources and tools are being developed to help housing providers adopt smoke-free policies, and educational forums are being planned across the province to educate the public on the benefits of increasing smoke-free options for British Columbians.

For more information on this initiative, please click here. If you, your landlord or strata corporation is interested in more information on this initiative, contact Sharon Hammond at shammond@contextresearch.ca.