Mid Continent Management Corporation to launch Company-Wide Smoke-Free Policy

The Bluffs of Burnsville (picture above) and many other Twin Cities multi-family housing properties will go smoke free on September 1, 2023 under Mid Continent Management’s new smoke-free policy. Photo courtesy of Mid Continent Management Corporation

This fall, smoke-free air will become the new normal at Mid Continent Management Corporation multi-family housing properties. A new smoke-free policy will apply to all 39 properties and nearly 2,400 units, protecting thousands of Minnesotans from toxic secondhand smoke in their homes.

Mid Continent Management Corporation manages properties across the Twin Cities metro area. Previously, smoking was prohibited at just a few of those properties, but starting September 1, 2023, all Mid Continent Management Corporation multi-family properties will become smoke free.  

Ongoing issues with the impact of secondhand tobacco smoke on resident wellness and property upkeep prompted Mid Continent Management Corporation’s decision to go smoke free. Cannabis legalization in Minnesota and concerns about potential impacts of secondhand cannabis smoke accelerated Mid Continent Management Corporation’s policy implementation plans. Company leaders hope the new smoke-free policy will help create healthier, cleaner, and safer environments for residents, guests, and staff. 

“Our goal at Mid Continent Management Corporation is to always do the right things by providing housing that supports our residents’ wellbeing and safety. We want that for our staff and guests, too. Going smoke free was the obvious choice, especially once we learned about cannabis legalization in Minnesota. Smoke is smoke and we are taking this step to keep the air in our buildings clean moving forward,” said Angie French, vice president of Mid Continent Management Corporation."

Live Smoke Free is supporting Mid Continent Management Corporation staff and residents throughout the smoke-free transition thanks to funding from the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership of Bloomington-Edina-Richfield, Dakota County, Hennepin County, Saint Paul – Ramsey County, and a Commercial Tobacco Free Communities grant from the Minnesota Department of Health. Live Smoke Free is providing consultation, signage, promotion, and resident education to foster a smooth transition for staff and residents. This summer, Live Smoke Free attended multiple resident events at Mid Continent Management Corporation properties to talk to residents about the upcoming policy change and connect residents with free smoking cessation support from Quit Partner™, the State’s family of programs to help people who want to quit smoking, vaping, chewing, or using other commercial tobacco products.

Pictured Left: Young residents of Wheelock Ridge Villa in Saint Paul play a guessing game with Live Smoke Free staff member, Morgan Hamernik, during National Night Out on August 1, 2023.

Live Smoke Free applauds Mid Continent Management Corporation for taking this step to protect the health of residents and encourages other housing providers to follow suit. For assistance with adopting a smoke-free housing policy, contact Live Smoke Free at 651-646-3005 or info@mnsmokefreehousing.org.