Smoke-Free Housing in Ottawa
Ontario Government Releases Standard Lease Template:
On February 7, 2018, the Ontario government released the Standard Lease Template. As of April 30, 2018, landlords can make and enforce smoke-free rules for rental units. Read more about the Standard Lease Template on the Ontario Ministry of Housing's website.
For more information about the benefits of including a smoke-free clause in a lease, watch Smoke-Free Housing Ontario's video.
Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Buildings in Ottawa:
Are you looking for smoke-free housing in Ottawa? The following multi-unit buildings have smoke-free policies:
Ottawa Community Housing:
Ottawa Community Housing unanimously adopted a smoke-free policy on December 12, 2013. Read their news release about the policy, which came into effect on May 31, 2014 (World No Tobacco Day). Ottawa Community Housing conducted a survey showing strong support among residents for a 100% smoke-free policy. Ottawa Community Housing also adopted a smoke-free policy for their units at 245 Crichton Street and Carson's Road prior to construction. The OCSH issued a news release congratulating Ottawa Community Housing for adopting a smoke-free policy.
Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation:
Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation is a non-profit housing organization that provides housing for low and moderate income people. Some of their properties are smoke-free, including:
Smoke-Free Housing Ontario Directory:
Smoke-Free Housing Ontario maintains a directory of smoke-free multi-unit housing in Ottawa and across Ontario.
Ontario Residents Need 100% Smoke-Free Housing:
The OCSH believes that everyone should have the choice to live in 100% smoke-free housing. We regularly receive complaints from Ottawa residents who are exposed to second-hand smoke in their apartment, condominium, or townhouse units. Residents are suffering in silence. They feel that they do not have a right to speak up and that they have no recourse. Many residents duct tape front doors, electrical plugs, and heat vents in an attempt to block out the second-hand smoke coming in from other parts of the building.
Who is Affected by Second-Hand Smoke in Multi-Unit Dwellings in Ontario?
Health Risks Associated with Second-Hand Smoke in Multi-Unit Dwellings:
Children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic diseases and environmental sensitivities are especially at risk. Second-hand smoke that comes in from neighbouring units poses significant health risks, including:
Financial Impact of Second-Hand Smoke in Multi-Unit Dwellings:
Smoking in multi-unit dwellings also causes significant property damage, costing landlords thousands of dollars in cleaning and repair bills. Landlords also pay higher insurance rates because of the increased risk of fires.
How Can Tenants, Owners, Landlords, and Developers Promote Smoke-Free Housing?
Additional Resources for Tenants, Owners, Landlords, and Developers:
On February 7, 2018, the Ontario government released the Standard Lease Template. As of April 30, 2018, landlords can make and enforce smoke-free rules for rental units. Read more about the Standard Lease Template on the Ontario Ministry of Housing's website.
For more information about the benefits of including a smoke-free clause in a lease, watch Smoke-Free Housing Ontario's video.
Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Buildings in Ottawa:
Are you looking for smoke-free housing in Ottawa? The following multi-unit buildings have smoke-free policies:
- The Chateau Carter at 60 McLeod Street
- 130 Queen Elizabeth Drive
- Conservation Co-Op at 140 Mann Avenue
- LIV Apartments at 207 Bell Street North
- Phoenix Apartments at 1316 Carling Avenue
- Domicile Developments properties including:
Ottawa Community Housing:
Ottawa Community Housing unanimously adopted a smoke-free policy on December 12, 2013. Read their news release about the policy, which came into effect on May 31, 2014 (World No Tobacco Day). Ottawa Community Housing conducted a survey showing strong support among residents for a 100% smoke-free policy. Ottawa Community Housing also adopted a smoke-free policy for their units at 245 Crichton Street and Carson's Road prior to construction. The OCSH issued a news release congratulating Ottawa Community Housing for adopting a smoke-free policy.
Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation:
Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation is a non-profit housing organization that provides housing for low and moderate income people. Some of their properties are smoke-free, including:
Smoke-Free Housing Ontario Directory:
Smoke-Free Housing Ontario maintains a directory of smoke-free multi-unit housing in Ottawa and across Ontario.
Ontario Residents Need 100% Smoke-Free Housing:
The OCSH believes that everyone should have the choice to live in 100% smoke-free housing. We regularly receive complaints from Ottawa residents who are exposed to second-hand smoke in their apartment, condominium, or townhouse units. Residents are suffering in silence. They feel that they do not have a right to speak up and that they have no recourse. Many residents duct tape front doors, electrical plugs, and heat vents in an attempt to block out the second-hand smoke coming in from other parts of the building.
Who is Affected by Second-Hand Smoke in Multi-Unit Dwellings in Ontario?
- In 2007, a survey found that almost two million people in Ontario living in multi-unit dwellings are exposed to second-hand smoke.
- In 2011, an Ipsos Reid poll found that 80% of Ontario residents living in apartments, condos and co-ops want to live smoke-free, and that two in three Ontario residents believe that all multi-unit dwellings (MUDs) should be smoke-free.
- A 2014 study by the Ontario Tobacco Research Unit found that half of Ontario residents are still exposed to second-hand smoke in their housing unit.
Health Risks Associated with Second-Hand Smoke in Multi-Unit Dwellings:
Children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic diseases and environmental sensitivities are especially at risk. Second-hand smoke that comes in from neighbouring units poses significant health risks, including:
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Low birth weight
- Ear infections in children
- Respiratory infections
- Asthma and COPD attacks
- Heart disease
- Strokes
- Cancer.
Financial Impact of Second-Hand Smoke in Multi-Unit Dwellings:
Smoking in multi-unit dwellings also causes significant property damage, costing landlords thousands of dollars in cleaning and repair bills. Landlords also pay higher insurance rates because of the increased risk of fires.
How Can Tenants, Owners, Landlords, and Developers Promote Smoke-Free Housing?
- Residents can help to raise public awareness about this issue by writing to their landlord or condominium board, their local newspaper, their city councillor, and their Member of Provincial Parliament. Share the facts about 100% smoke-free housing.
- Landlords have the legal right to adopt no-smoking policies for their residential buildings, including private units.
- Developers can legally declare newly constructed buildings 100% smoke-free.
Additional Resources for Tenants, Owners, Landlords, and Developers:
- Canadian Cancer Society: Second-Hand Smoke
- Canadian Cancer Society: Clear the Air Protect Yourself and Your Family From Second-Hand Smoke
- Canadian Cancer Society Smokers' Helpline: Smoke-Free Housing Ontario
- Halton Region: Smoke-Free Housing - Information for Landlords, Tenants, and Owners
- The Lung Association: Second-Hand Smoke in Multi-Unit Dwellings
- The Lung Association: Protecting Yourself from Second-Hand Smoke and Third-Hand Smoke
- Non-Smokers' Rights' Association: A Landlord's Guide to No-Smoking Policies in Ontario
- Non-Smokers' Rights' Association: Second-Hand Smoke in Multi-Unit Dwellings
- Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing: Second-Hand Smoke in Rental Units
- Ottawa Council on Smoking or Health: Second-Hand Smoke in Multi-Unit Dwellings
- PTCC (Resource Centre of the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy): Multi-Unit Dwellings and Homes
- Smoke-Free Housing Ontario
- Smoke-Free Housing Ontario: Smoke-Free Policies Make Good Dollars and Sense - The Business Case for Smoke-free Multi-Unit Housing
- Smoke-Free Housing Canada
- American Lung Association: Smoke-Free Policies in Multi-Unit Housing - Steps for Success
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