The smoking rate in Ontario is quite low--eighty-five percent of adult Ontarians don’t smoke. A 2007 survey of multi-unit residents in Ontario found that a majority would prefer to live in a smoke-free building, if such a choice existed. Despite increasing demand for smoke-free housing options in Ontario, only a small fraction of rental units are currently smoke-free. Clearly, there is a real marketing opportunity for adopting a no-smoking policy.
While the Ontario government has gone a long way to protecting the public from the known health risks of exposure to second-hand smoke, landlords and property managers can also play an important role. Ontarians want more smoke-free options in apartments and condos. Hotels have been offering both smoking and non-smoking rooms for decades, and many are now moving to ban smoking outright. The benefits for landlords are just too compelling.
Consider the following:
- Adopting a no-smoking policy is legal and easy to do.
- No-smoking policies are enforceable.
- The majority of Ontarians don't smoke, and smoke-free homes are already a social norm--approximately 75% of all Canadian households do not permit smoking indoors. A smoke-free environment is a valuable amenity to offer tenants.
- Demand for smoke-free homes is on the rise. There are approximately 4.5 million people living in multi-unit dwellings in Ontario, yet there is a major shortage of smoke-free options. This is especially problematic for those with chronic illnesses and health conditions.
- Second-hand smoke causes disease and premature death in children and adults who do not smoke.
- Non-smoking renters are beginning to realize that they don't have to tolerate other people’s smoke infiltrating their homes and making them sick.
- The benefits are clear. No-smoking policies are about better indoor air quality, happier tenants and a healthier bottom line.
Download A Landlord's Guide to No-Smoking Policies in Ontario.