Smoke-free Housing Ontario is about helping to increase options for smoke-free living. Demand for smoke-free environments is on the rise. Ontarians are protected from second hand smoke in virtually all enclosed workplaces and public places, yet many remain unwillingly exposed in their own homes from neighbouring units.

We are not asking the government to pass a law that would force all landlords to make all rental buildings smoke-free. Smoke-free housing is not about denying smokers a place to live, or evicting smokers from their present homes, or forcing people to quit smoking. Smoke-free Housing Ontario is about promoting multi-unit housing with clean, smoke-free indoor air. Our goal is to make smoke-free multi-unit housing the norm in Ontario--where supply meets demand.

Second-hand smoke infiltration in multi-unit dwellings is an emerging public issue. Multi-unit dwellings include:

• Multi-storey apartment buildings and condominiums;
• Houses partitioned into separate apartments;
• Duplexes;
• Row houses; and
• Semi-detached houses.

The problem of air (and second-hand smoke) transfer is possible in any type of housing with shared walls or floors. Although more common in older multi-unit dwellings, second-hand smoke infiltration between units in newer buildings can also be a problem.

Despite surveys demonstrating strong demand, smoke-free multi-unit housing is still in its infancy in Ontario. Many housing providers are hesitant to adopt no-smoking policies, believing them to be illegal, discriminatory or unenforceable.

If you are a landlord or property manager, we’ve got information on all this, as well as tools and resources to help you get started on your own no-smoking policy.

If you are a tenant stuck in a smoky apartment, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got information and resources to help you understand your rights and options.

If you are a condominium owner or housing co-op member, we’ve got information specific to your situation as well.

We hope you enjoy visiting our site. Tell your friends and colleagues about it, and come back soon. We’re working hard to make this site your number one resource for smoke-free multi-unit housing in Ontario.