Politics & Government

Bristol Housing Authority is "Kicking Butt"

Benjamin Church Manor apartments and administrative offices will be smoke-free as of March 1.

 

The Bristol Housing Authority has established a no-smoking policy for its facilities. On Feb. 9, 2012 the BHA Board of Commissioners approved the policy, which will take effect on March 1, 2012.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a notice in 2009 that encouraged Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to implement non-smoking policies in some, or all, of their public housing units.

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An excerpt from that notice says: "According to the American Lung Association (ALA), cigarette smoking is the number one cause of preventable disease in the United States. The elderly and young populations, as well as people with chronic illnesses, are especially vulnerable to the adverse effects of smoking. Because secondhand smoke can migrate between units in multifamily housing, causing respiratory illness, heart disease, cancer, and other adverse health effects in neighboring families, the Department is encouraging PHAs to adopt non-smoking policies for all public housing units."

“The BHA’s Board of Commissioners has been considering the aforementioned recommendation since 2009, and the time has come,” said Candace Pansa, BHA Executive Director.

“Our facility serves mostly an elderly population, and we are mindful that smoking is an aggressive addiction to nicotine, and this change could be challenging for our smoking population. But, we have partnered with RI Health Department and federally run smoking cessation programs, in order to
assist our residents to kick the habit. In the end they will be healthier and our facilities will suffer less smoke damage," she said, adding, "It's a win-win as I see it.”

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Pansa noted that maintenance fees are always higher in the apartments of smokers and indicates the move will also curtail costs. Said Pansa, “In a time when we are facing so many cuts and engaging in severe belt-tightening, this is an austerity measure as well.

All Tenants, employees and guest must abide by the following rules and regulations.

The new full policy and a revised application are on the BHA website at www.bristolhousingri.org.

The Bristol Housing Authority is an agency governed by a Board of five Commissioners, including a resident Commissioner and run by an Executive Director. The Main office is located at 1014 Hope Street in Bristol, Rhode Island.



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