Secondhand smoke can seep into multi-unit dwellings from vents and cracks in walls or floors. 90% of Alaskan residents have a home smoking ban. 73% of Alaskans who smoke prohibit smoking in their homes. However, among Alaskans who rent, 48% reported that their landlord has rules about smoking on the property. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 35% of multiunit housing residents are exposed to secondhand smoke in their home that came from somewhere else in the building, like another apartment.
Check to see if smoking is addressed anywhere in your lease or if there are local laws in place
If you know where it is coming from, see if you can come to an agreement about where and when they smoke.
Educate your neighbors about how secondhand smoke may affect them and their family.
Talk with your doctor if secondhand smoke is affecting your health and ask for a note from them that states the impact secondhand smoke is having on your health.
Talk with your landlord/property manager about the secondhand smoke problem in your apartment.
a.) If your building does not have an indoor smoke-free policy ask them about adopting one.
b.) Ask them to conduct a tenant survey to gauge the views of residents about a policy prohibiting smoking in
all indoor areas.
This law prohibits smoking in two areas in multiunit housing. It defines smoking as using cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars and pipes, and other oral smoking devices that contain tobacco or marijuana.
In common areas of apartment buildings or multi-family dwellings
Outdoors within 20 feet of an entrance, open window, or enclosed air intake vent of a heating or ventilation system
