New research from the Manitoba Tobacco Reduction Alliance Inc. (MANTRA) finds that the majority of multi-unit dwelling tenants would prefer to live in a smoke-free building.
Prairie Research Associates conducted research on behalf of MANTRA, which found more than 7 out of 10 people surveyed in the province would like to live in a building that doesn’t allow smoking inside. Only four out of 10 preferred smoking indoors due to a lack of supply.
Of those surveyed who have a family member that smokes, 42% would choose to live in a smoke-free residence.
“Exposure to second hand smoke that drifts into units from other parts of the building is the driver for why many Manitoban tenants of multi-unit dwellings desire a smoke-free environment,” MANTRA said in a release. “In fact, 1 in 3 tenants say such drifting has taken place at least once in the last six months and about 8% have reported a negative health outcome from this exposure.”
MANTRA asked that if the demand for affordable, smoke-free living is high, why is it not being met? Their answer is because there needs to be a standardized definition of the term “smoke-free,” a formal disclosure of building’s smoking policies to tenants, a shift to smoke-free housing by building owners, and increased government encouragement to transition buildings to smoke-free.
The non-profit was founded in 2002 and acts as a catalyst and coordinator for tobacco reduction activities in Manitoba.
