Live Smoke Free

Photo of Central Park Commons in Hopkins, MN To better understand the local smoke-free housing policy landscape, Live Smoke Free and Hennepin County Public Health recently conducted an assessment in Hopkins, Minnesota. Hopkins was selected for this assessment because of its high concentration of renters. In fact, nearly 65% of housing units in Hopkins are renter occupied. This makes smoke-free housing policies especially important. The assessment involved contacting 78 multi-unit housing...

We know that secondhand smoke is dangerous. But have you heard of thirdhand smoke? Thirdhand smoke is the residue left behind after a cigarette is extinguished. It clings to walls, carpets, furniture, clothing, and even skin and hair. You may not always see or smell thirdhand smoke, but it’s still there. It’s especially harmful to children, pets, older adults, and people with chronic health conditions. Even if no one is smoking indoors anymore, the toxic residue has been shown to linger for...

Live Smoke Free and Public Health Law Center recently partnered to instruct a continuing education course for Saint Paul area realtors on “Smoke-Free Homes and Saint Paul’s Smoking Disclosure Ordinance”. Realtors play a crucial role in effective smoke-free housing policies, especially when it comes to individually owned units like condos and townhomes. In 2021, St. Paul passed a smoking disclosure ordinance for common interest communities that went into effect January 2022. This means that...