Oregon’s Smoking Policy: Educational Approach for No-Smoking Policies

1. Oregon’s Smoking Policy Disclosure Law An opportunity to educate about the benefits of no-smoking policies

2. Key to Success - Setting the Stage We worked with landlord groups from very beginning of Project (2005). They: • Helped with tenant survey questions • Guided messaging and look/feel of materials • Wove content through their newsletters, websites, trainings • Redid their lease forms to include smoking policy info – received some $$$ to do it

3. Legislative Concept • Oregon Public Health Division was able to get disclosure concept on governor’s agenda • This allowed state staff and contractors to actively work on issue

4. The Policy • Landlords are required, as part of the rental agreement, to disclose whether or not smoking is: • Prohibited on the premises • Allowed on the entire premises • Allowed in limited areas on the premises • If smoking is allowed, the disclosure must state where it is allowed.

5. A small compromise • Initial language required landlords to warn renters about dangers of SHS • Landlord trade associations did not want this added responsibility • We agreed – 94% of Oregonians already said SHS is harmful They agreed and had their lobbyist advocate for the bill!

6. Advocates for the bill • American Lung Association in Oregon • Fair Housing Council of Oregon • Metro Multifamily Housing Association • Northwest Health Foundation • Oregon Law Center • Oregon Rental Housing Association • Oregon Smokefree Housing Project • Oregon Public Health Division • Upstream Public Health With both industry and public health support, the law passed easily!

7. What about enforcement? • The policy has no enforcement mechanism built in • A landlord who does not disclose could potentially get sued Effort was designed to give additional legs to comprehensive educational campaign

8. Communication plan Held a luncheon meeting to celebrate and brainstorm communication channels and methods for: • Landlords and those who serve them • Renters • General public

9. Primary Messages • No-Smoking policies are legal • Landlords need to have a smoking policy and communicate to tenants • While they’re at it, why not take advantage of the great reasons to adopt a no-smoking policy • Renters have the right to know the smoking policy for the property

10. Tools for Landlords • Web-based fact sheet – FAQs • Sample language on web • Postcard • Articles in trade publications • Links to info from trade associations

11. Landlord postcard Mailed to 35,000 landlords

12. Resources for Renters • Web-based renter fact sheet – FAQs • Postcard in English and Spanish • Articles placed in community news outlets • Info provided to Ready to Rent & Rent Well Programs

13. Renter postcard - English

14. Renter postcard - Spanish

15. Poster

16. Tools for Local TPEP Coordinators • Action checklist with outreach ideas • Sample landlord letter • Media talking points and LTE template • Model Section 8 check insert • Hands-on technical assistance We shined a light on those doing a good job of outreach

17. Has the Law Made a Difference? • HUD issued notices encouraging public and affordable housing agencies to adopt no-smoking policies • Market trend is very strong: Many, many property managers have adopted no-smoking policies over past 5-6 years • Number of Oregon public housing authorities (22) with a no-smoking policy hasjumped from 5% (1) in 2008 to 73%(16) today The law is one part of an intensive educational effort

18. Oregon Smokefree Housing ProjectDiane Laughter, MPH, Health In Sight LLCwww.smokefreehousinginfo.comdiane.laughter@comcast.net