News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A smoking ban at public housing units across the nation had little impact on the Highlands Residential Services.
HRS Executive Director Dow Harris said the agency implemented a smoke-free policy in September of 2016.
“We had actually considered implementing the no smoking policy in late 2014 and early 2015 when we had experienced several fires,” Harris said. “One in particular on Cypress Avenue where we had a devastating fire with a tenant smoking while on oxygen.”
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) now prohibits the use of cigarettes, cigars and pipes in all public housing units and common areas, as well as any outdoor areas up to 25 feet from public housing and administrative office buildings.
Harris said HRS is moving in the direction of having completely smoke-free properties across the area.
“We expect Oak Tree Towers to begin construction this spring and it will be a smoke-free property from the inception,” Harris said. “With our board, and the concept that we are looking at, I think we are going to be entirely smoke-free in the near future.”
HRS has implemented a tiered enforcement process for those who violate the smoking ban. An official warning will be given after the first violation and residents could face a fine of up to $2,500 for a second violation. A third violation involves possible eviction.
HUD officials said the ban is expected to save government housing agencies hundreds of millions of dollars in repairs and health care costs. Harris said those costs have actually gone up since the agency implemented the ban nearly two years ago.
“We are actually seeing some increased costs as we turn these units over to get them completely nicotine free,” Harris said. “It’s a little bit of a bump for us on the painting and prep side, but we do think it’s going to save us a lot of money on the back end or the long term.”
Harris said he’s hoping the new smoking ban will lead more residents to quit smoking, which was something the HUD policy sought to do.
“We’ve worked with the power of Putnam, public health department, and various other agencies in getting them (residents) information on how to get help to quit smoking,” Harris said. “The sad thing, is that it’s just an entrenched part of their lives.”
Harris said only a handful of residents have violated the smoking ban since it went into effect and he’s seen some success with the tobacco cessation classes offered by the Power of Putnam.
HRS was among the 228,000 public housing units already under a smoke-free policy. The smoking ban, which took effect nationwide last Wednesday, will wipe out smoking at 940,000 other units.
