Contact:  Candy Sims, Public Information Officer

(954) 467-4784 – (954) 895-5745

Candy.sims@flhealth.gov

-- Funds will provide for continued support of Smoke-free multi-unit properties Broward County--

(BROWARD COUNTY, FL) – The Tobacco Prevention Program at the Florida Department of Health in Broward County was recently awarded a $110,170 grant from Health Foundation of South Florida.

The two-year funding will provide increased support and education to multi-unit property owners and managers to adopt policies for Smoke-free buildings in communities that are currently underserved in Broward County.

“We appreciate the support of Health Foundation of South Florida to help protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida,” said Paula Thaqi, M.D., M.P.H., Health Officer, Florida Department of Health in Broward County.

Several residential, business and agency properties in Broward County have already implemented smoke-free policies.  The growing trend includes properties managed by the Broward County Housing Authority, Sea Tower Apartments, Gateway Terrace, The Edge at Flagler Village and Catholic Housing Management; and business and agencies as Slackers Bar & Grill, Arc Point Labs and all Broward Health facilities.

There are numerous benefits to residents living in smoke-free units as tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, hundreds of which are toxic and at least 70 known to cause cancer.¹   Exposure, even for short periods of time, can be dangerous.²   Secondhand smoke exposure is causally linked to heart disease, stroke, several cancers, lower respiratory illness, and impaired lung function.³ 

For property managers and owners, smoke-free policies can have economic benefits. Smoke-free policies can eliminate the need to repair or replace carpeting, floors, fixtures, countertops or appliances damaged by burns or nicotine stains.  At the end of a lease, smoke-free units require less turnover time due to fewer preparation and repainting needs.

For more information on Smoke-Free Multi Unit Housing and the Tobacco Prevention Program at the Florida Department of Health in Broward County, call (954) 467-4807 or visit broward.floridahealth.gov.

About the Florida Department of Health
The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.-2-

 Health Foundation of South Florida, a nonprofit organization, improves health through community investments for health promotion and preventive services. With leadership and effective partnerships on a national, state and local level, the Foundation advances the ability of residents in Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties to lead healthier lives. Since its founding in 1993, the Foundation has worked with more than 400 organizations and awarded over $115 million. For more information, please call 305.374.7200 or visit www.hfsf.org

1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease: The Biology and Behavioral Basis for Smoking-Attributable Disease: A Report of the Surgeon General.  Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2010.
2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Coordinating Center For Health Promotion, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2006.
3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  The Health Consequences of smoking – 50 Years of Progress.  A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.  Office on Smoking and Health. 2014. Printed with corrections. January 2014.