Print icon Print

Smoke-Free NYCHA


Smoke-Free NYCHA: We All Share the Air is New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s new short film chronicling Smoke-Free NYCHA’s efforts to reduce secondhand smoke exposures and support NYCHA residents with their goals for tobacco treatment.

NYCHA’s smoke-free initiative, Smoke-Free NYCHA, promotes healthier homes for residents and healthier working environments for employees by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke and providing support to residents and employees who smoke and want to quit or cut back. 

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S.. Secondhand smoke increases the risk of asthma attacks, respiratory illness, stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer in nonsmoking adults and children. Children and seniors, nearly half of all NYCHA residents, are often impacted the most. Eliminating smoking indoors and close to buildings is the best way to protect people from exposure to secondhand smoke. 

NYCHA’s Smoke-Free Policy 

NYCHA prohibits smoking of tobacco and marijuana (or cannabis) inside public housing apartments; in all indoor common areas; and within twenty-five (25) feet from a NYCHA building. Smoking in these areas is a violation of the public housing lease.   

The policy took effect July 30, 2018, and was amended in 2022.  

The Landlord has adopted a Smoke-Free Policy prohibiting tobacco and marijuana smoking in restricted areas. Smoking means inhaling, exhaling, burning or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, little cigar, pipe, water pipe (hookah), or any similar form of lighted object or device containing tobacco or marijuana. Restricted areas include, but are not limited to, the Leased Premises, all interior areas of the Development or other developments of the Landlord, and areas within 25 feet of development buildings, or to the property boundary where that boundary is less than 25 feet from the property line of a development building. The Tenant, any member of the household, a guest, or another person under the Tenant’s control must comply with the Smoke-Free Policy. 

The Landlord’s adoption of the requirements in this paragraph 12(dd) does not make the Landlord a guarantor of the Tenant’s or any other resident’s health or of the smoke-free condition of restricted areas. The Landlord specifically disclaims any implied or express warranties that the Landlord’s public housing properties will have higher or improved air quality or will be free from secondhand smoke. 

The Landlord will take reasonable steps to enforce the requirements of this paragraph 12(dd) utilizing a graduated enforcement policy, as provided in the Landlord’s Smoke-Free Policy.  

Local law also prohibits smoking in playgrounds and vaping any substance in common indoor areas of buildings. 

Picture of smoke free map

In addition to the indoor smoking prohibitions in public housing, NYCHA’s Smoke-Free policy prohibits smoking within twenty-five (25) feet of public housing buildings. This online map allows you view the 25-foot perimeter around NYCHA buildings (marked in yellow). 

Smoking increases your risk of respiratory infections and pneumonia, as well as the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. If you are interested in quitting help is available. 

Quit Smoking Resources

Quit Smoking Articles

Quit Smoking Additional Resources


Playback issues? Watch this video in your browser.  

Audio Description: This 2018 video is a short film about the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) requirement that all public housing be smoke-free by July 30, 2018. It features interviews with tenant leaders and residents about its impact on NYCHA residents.  

Questions? Ideas? Contact NYCHA Resident Health Initiatives at smoke-free@nycha.nyc.gov or via telephone at (212) 306-8282.