Third Hand Smoke - You need to know about this

On MSNBC.com today, an article on "Third Hand Smoke" and its effects could have effects on our industry. Here are some of the highlights:

A new study reveals that the residue of nicotine that lingers on surfaces can react with another chemical in the air to form potent carcinogens — chemicals linked to various cancers. While first-hand smoke is that inhaled directly by the smoker and second-hand is the smoke exhaled (and inhaled by others), third-hand smoke is the residue from second-hand smoke.

In their paper, the authors suggest several ways to limit the impact of third-hand smoke, including the implementation of 100 percent smoke-free environments in public places and self-restrictions in residences and automobiles. In building where high levels of smoking has occurred, replacing furnishings, carpets and wallboard could reduce exposures.

Read the entire article here: bit.ly/cuq2jj

Thanks for sharing Lisa. This is really a groundbreaking study. Once something like this is published, public places now could be held liable for ailments caused if something like this ever went to court

I remember years ago working at a complex where my lungs would literally burn when we would go in to do unit inspections, etc. They allowed smoking inside the units and at least 75% of this complex smoked.

I remember thinking what an unusual color to paint the walls and had mentioned this to the maintenance staff and that's when they told me it was the color "nicotine" and it was a color that the residents brought with them.

This complex spent a lot of money getting these walls painted, cleaning the appliances, etc. because everything was covered with nicotine.

I love the idea of designating an area for smokers, so they won't do it in their units.

Very interesting information Lisa. Second (and Third) hand smoke has really been a hot topic in the Boston market lately. A large law suit involving a broker just made the news yesterday. The gist of the below link is that the individual that purchased a Boston condo alleges that the broker assured her that the stench from the previous owners smoking habit would disappear and not "stay in the unit" when in fact a neighbor in the same building was the source of the smoke infiltration. This case really pushes the boundaries of disclosure obligations and accountability for R.E. Brokers - it will be interesting to see how it all unfolds.

www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/..._real_estate_broker/

Second-hand smoke is not the smoke exhaled by the smoker, it is primarily the smoke from the end of the cigarette, which is unfiltered. Third-hand smoke is the sum of all the smoke, inhaled, exhaled, and second-hand. Second-hand smoke is stronger, because it has not been "smoked" by anyone's lungs yet. Third-hand smoke turns into residue, which is even stronger, and potentially more dangerous

I am bringing up something that is an old post and I think it needs to be revisited, or else I am clueless and need to get caught up on the latest. More and more we come to the nonsmoking and in some states there is specific language where one can and cannot smoke. Now let's look at our housing and the policies and do we need to change or update language in our lease contracts?

Read your lease or condominium agreement. Most leases contain language about the enjoyment of quiet and safe premises, implied warranty of habitability, nuisance, and rules about noise and other potential nuisances. These clauses prohibit tenants from engaging in activities that interfere with another tenant's peace and well-being, such as loud music, noxious odors, noisy late-night parties, etc. Even if your agreement does not specifically address smoking, you can make a case that another tenants' smoke drifting into your unit violates these other protections in your agreement that address quality of life and safety issues. Secondhand smoke is not only a nuisance but a serious health hazard.

Do you have complaints from nonsmokers about their neighbor smoke smells drifting into their apartments and if so, what do you do about it?

There are more and more local governments enacting no smoking laws that affect apartment complexes and include no smoking anywhere on property.

The problem I see is that if the government enacts a policy like this (which, as a nonsmoker, I largely agree with) is that if you have a resident(s) that smoke; do they have to quit or move? What about those that use medical marijuana? Is this an exception to the rule under ADA laws as the use is therapeutic?

Hello Johnny,

This is a moving target, but as we get more informed and there are more agencies a lot of the issues will be ironed out. The questions that you asked as I understand it are being looked at.

Currently you have the National Multi-Housing Council, HUD, the American Lung Association, and may other agencies inside and out of the government looking at this. There are even free online links to support properties in adopting smoke free areas.

I found this link to be very informative as well as I think a lot of housing professionals will find great use of this link: www.lung.org/smokefreehousing .