V-Smoke-Free Policy

City of Chandler — Regular Meeting (2023-04-10)

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Revised 7/1/20227/1/2023 
 
 
 
Smoke-Free Policy 
 
The City of Chandler Housing and Redevelopment (COCHR) and the United States Department 
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have become increasingly aware of the ill effects 
caused by secondhand smoke. These ill effects include, but are not limited to (1) health concerns 
raised by other residents who experience secondhand smoke filtering into adjoining apartments, 
with resulting increased potential for lung related illnesses and disorders; (2) additional costs for 
maintenance such as cleaning, painting, replacing blinds and cleaning air conditioning coils; (3) 
safety concerns resulting from smokers disconnecting the smoke alarms in their units. 
 
In response to these concerns and in order to provide a safe living environment for all Residents, 
on February 3, 2017, HUD issued a federal rule requiring all Public Housing Authorities implement 
a smoke-free policy. The COCHR has adopted the following Policy: 
 
1. 
Smoking is not permitted anywhere on public housing grounds, to include living units, 
interior and exterior common areas, outdoor areas, and in or near public housing and 
administrative office buildings. 
 
2. 
The term “prohibited tobacco products” is defined as items that involve the ignition and 
burning of tobacco leaves, such as: cigarettes, cigars, pipes and water pipes (also known as 
hookahs). 
 
3. 
The term “electronic delivery device” means any product that can be used to deliver 
aerosolized or vaporized nicotine, lobelia, or any other substance to the person inhaling 
from the device, including, but not limited to, an e-cigarette, e-cigar, e-pipe, or vape pen. 
 
4. 
The term “interior common areas” include but are not limited to: hallways, rental and 
administrative offices, community rooms/centers, laundry rooms/centers and similar 
structures. 
 
5. 
“Smoke” or “Smoking” means inhaling or exhaling smoke, aerosol, or vapor from any lighted 
or heated cigar, cigarette, pipe, electronic delivery device, or any other natural or synthetic 
tobacco or plant product. “Smoke” or “Smoking” also includes burning or possessing any 
lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, pipe, electronic delivery device, or any other natural or 
synthetic tobacco or plant product intended for inhalation. 
 
6. 
The premises to be occupied by Resident and members of Resident’s household have been 
designated as a smoke-free living environment. Resident, members of Resident’s household, 
Attachment V

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Revised 7/1/20227/1/2023 
 
and guests shall not smoke anywhere on the premises, including in the unit leased by 
Resident, interior and exterior common areas utilized by Residents and staff, and in or near 
the public housing buildings. 
 
7. 
Residents are responsible for notifying their guests and invitees that the COCHRD has 
designated the property as a smoke-free property.  Residents are responsible for ensuring 
that their guests and any and all visitors under their control fully comply with this policy. 
 
8. 
Non-Smoking areas within the property include the following areas: 
 
A. All Public Housing residential units. 
B. All interior common areas. 
C. All Public Housing grounds and buildings with no exceptions 
 
9. 
Resident should promptly provide the COCHR with a written statement of any incident where 
tobacco smoke is migrating into Resident’s unit from sources outside Resident’s unit. 
 
10. The COCHR will post No Smoking signs at entrances and exits, common areas, hallways and 
in conspicuous places at Public Housing family sites. 
 
11. The COCHR will take reasonable steps to enforce this Smoke-Free Policy and to make the unit 
smoke-free. The COCHR is not required to take steps in response to smoking unless the 
COCHR knows of a violation of this Smoke-Free Policy or has been provided with written notice 
of any violation of this Policy. 
 
12. A material breach of this Policy shall be a material breach of the Resident’s Lease and the 
Rules and Regulations and grounds for termination of tenancy through a graduated 
enforcement approach.  The COCHR graduated enforcement framework will include: 
• 
A lease amendment identifying the actions that constitutes a policy violation and 
encourage residents to promptly provide a written statement of any incident where 
tobacco smoke is migrating into the resident’s unit from sources outside the resident’s 
unit. 
• 
If a determination is made on objective facts supported by written statements, that a 
tenant is in violation, the COCHR may serve a written notice of lease violation(s) to the 
tenant to meet with the housing specialist to discuss the violation(s). 
• 
Documentation of noncompliance, if there are repeated violations (more than two) or 
persistent non-responsiveness will constitute a violation of the lease. 
• 
Eviction proceedings as a last resort. 
 
Section XXIII of Resident’s Lease refers to the Smoke-Free Policy restrictions. 
 
13. Resident acknowledges that the COCHR’s adoption of a Smoke-Free living environment and 
its efforts to designate the unit as Smoke-Free do not make the COCHR guarantor of 
Resident’s health or of the smoke-free condition of Resident unit or the common areas.

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Revised 7/1/20227/1/2023 
 
Resident acknowledges that the COCHR’S adoption of a smoke-free living environment and 
its efforts to designate the unit as smoke-free do not in any way change the standard of care 
that the COCHR has to Resident’s household to render units designated as smoke-free any 
safer, more habitable, or improved in terms of air quality standards than any other rental 
premises. The COCHR specifically disclaims any implied or express warranties that the 
Resident’s premises will have any higher or improved air quality standards than any other 
rental units. The COCHR cannot and does not warranty or promise that the rental premises 
will be free from second hand smoke. 
 
14. Resident acknowledges that the COCHR’S ability to police, monitor, or enforce the restrictions 
of this Policy is dependent in significant part on voluntary compliance by Resident and 
Resident’s guests and invitees. Residents with respiratory ailments, allergies, or any other 
physical or mental condition relating to smoke are put on notice that the COCHR does not 
assume any higher duty of care to enforce this Policy than any other obligation imposed on 
them under the Lease or Rules and Regulations. 
 
15. To assist all residents with the Smoke-Free Policy transition and to accommodate resident 
interest in smoking cessation, the COCHR is committed to providing resources for cessation 
education and outreach. 
 
Please refer to the Lease Addendum and/or your Section X and XXIII of the Lease 
Agreement for information regarding the Smoke-Free Policy restrictions. 
 
By signing below, the resident acknowledges receipt of the Smoke-Free Policy. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Head of Household Signature  
 
 
 
Date 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Adult Household Member Signature  
 
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Other Adult Household Member Signature  
 
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Other Adult Household Member Signature  
 
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