Millhouses of Adams Goes Smoke Free
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ADAMS, Mass. — The Millhouses of Adams is adopting smoke-free policies as of July 1 to protect residents in the 98 units from secondhand smoke.
Because smoke drifts between units and cannot be contained, the only fail-proof solution to the problem of secondhand smoke is for buildings to go entirely smoke-free.
"Our owner, Wingate Companies, is committed to the health and safety of its residents and staff and that’s why we’ve promoted a smoke-free living and working environment," said Regional Manager Bonnie Senecal. "Millhouses understands and respects the needs of its residents who smoke and we’ll continue to work with them around this policy and to connect them with service providers who can help them with this transition."
The Millhouses of Adams surveyed residents about their interest in living in smoke-free housing and then decided to move toward smoke-free indoor air. A resident meeting was held to educate about secondhand smoke, address concerns and support residents around compliance with smoke-free rules.
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. By going smoke-free, residents will be less likely to suffer from the effects of secondhand smoke, which include acute respiratory infections, ear problems, asthma, heart attacks and certain cancers.
"Research shows a strong demand for smoke-free housing," said Joan Rubel, coordinator of the Berkshire Tobacco-Free Community Partnership. "We are happy to help property managers through the process of going smoke-free with technical assistance, resident education and free resources about quitting smoking."
With the new rules, the Millhouses of Adams joins the growing number of public and private multi-unit housing properties throughout Massachusetts with smoke-free policies, a positive trend that protects residents from the serious health effects of breathing secondhand smoke.
For more information, please contact Bonnie Senecal at the Millhouses of Adams, 413-743-2375.
Tags: affordable housing, smoking ban, smoking regulations,
