Although cities such as Boston, Seattle, and Denver have begun to roll out smoking bans in recent years, most of the cities and towns that have implemented restrictions to date are small and have relatively few housing projects.
Milford, Conn., is one of the few cities that have responded to HUD’s urging. In March, the city’s public housing authority passed a nonsmoking ordinance that covers all 465 of its units. (Current tenants have until November 1 to comply.)
“We’ve had broad, positive support,” says Anthony Vasiliou, executive director of the Milford Housing Authority. The day after the ordinance was passed, he says, a longtime smoker and public housing resident personally thanked him, and told him she believed the ban would give her the motivation to finally quit.
“Believe it or not,” says Dr. Winickoff, “even some smokers want smoke-free housing.”
