A02: Smoke Free Environment – Above Green

(Required)

INTENT

Deter smoking, minimize occupant exposure to secondhand smoke and reduce smoke pollution.

SUMMARY

This WELL feature requires projects to ban indoor smoking and ban or restrict outdoor smoking within its boundaries.

ISSUE

Exposure to tobacco smoke persists as an important cause of ill health for both smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke. The average life expectancy of a smoker is 10 years less than that of a nonsmoker. In addition to nicotine, cigarettes contain about 600 ingredients that form over 7,000 compounds when burned, of which at least 69 are known to be carcinogenic. Secondhand smoke exposes nonsmokers to the same contaminants, increasing the number of people subject to health risks from smoking. Examples of health issues include asthma attacks, respiratory infections, coronary heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and sudden infant death syndrome. There are also strong links between exposure to cigarette smoke and impaired cognitive development, including where pregnant mothers are exposed to either primary or secondary cigarette smoke. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that there are serious health consequences associated with exposure to thirdhand tobacco smoke, secondhand marijuana smoke and emissions from e-cigarettes. The thirdhand smoke (residual chemicals left on indoor surfaces by tobacco smoke) clings to walls, furniture, clothes, bedding, carpets and other surfaces long after smoking has occurred. Globally, 93% of the population lives in countries not protected by 100% smoke-free regulations.

SOLUTIONS

The only way to protect people from secondhand and thirdhand smoke is to implement a 100% smoke-free environment. Smoke-free environments reduce instances of childhood asthma and other associated diseases later in life. In order to prevent intrusion of cigarette smoke from the outdoors, projects must also take steps to ensure that smoking is not allowed in the vicinity of building entrances, operable windows and building air intakes.

IMPACT

Smoke-free environments are a fundamental step toward achieving high quality indoor air quality.

REQUIREMENTS

Part 1

Prohibit Indoor Smoking

Verified by Policy Document

For All Spaces

The following requirement is met:

Smoking and the use of e-cigarettes is prohibited in interior spaces within the project boundary.

Part 2

Prohibit Outdoor Smoking

Verified by Photographic evidence

For All Spaces

The following requirements are met:

Smoking is prohibited within 7.5 m [25 ft] (or the maximum extent allowable by local codes) of all entrances, operable windows and building air intakes. Signage is present to clearly communicate the ban.
Smoking is prohibited on all decks, patios, balconies, rooftops and outdoor galleries. Signage is present to clearly communicate the ban.
In outdoor areas within the project boundary that allow smoking (if any), signs are placed along walkways (not more than 30 m [100 ft] between signs) that describe the hazards of smoking.

Note: Projects should consider primary language(s) spoken by the local population when creating signage.