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Syracuse Public Housing Buildings All Go Smoke-Free: Some Might Quit, Avoid Myriad Health Problems

John Smith/WAER News

  The air quality is officially smoke free today inside Syracuse Housing Authority properties.  They’ve been preparing tenants for a year in advance and the new policy is gaining praise from local health officials. 

Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta explains how medical statistics show the longstanding history of health problems that are associated with smoking.

“Heart disease, stroke, circulation problems, chronic bronchitis, cancer, maternal health affecting premature birth, sudden infant death syndrome, increased risk of fracture, to name a few. The risk is quite long so you get the picture.”

She says in 2006, the U-S Surgeon General concluded that risk factors exist for inhaling second-hand smoke and suggested regulation with laws and policies so non-smokers wouldn’t be affected.  Dr. Gupta adds that tobacco has huge societal impacts… costing 300 billion dollars annually for smoking related illnesses.

“Therefore today’s announcement is a great public health achievement that helps eliminate the involuntary second-hand exposure of those who don’t smoke, especially children and pregnant women.”

Smoking is only allowed outside of the Syracuse Housing Authority properties 50 feet away from buildings.  Some properties will have smoking shelters.  Executive Director Bill Simmons says tenants’ reactions to the new policy have been mixed.

“Many of those who live in our high-rise buildings who have breathing conditions are very, very happy that were going smoke free.  A number of smokers were very anxious about the policy and experienced a lot of anxiety.  But they realize in the end it’s in the best interests of all involved and they’re making their efforts to comply or quit smoking themselves.” 

The policy might be the tipping point for someone to consider giving up cigarette smoking. 

Upstate Cancer CenterDirector and Surgeon, Dr. Leslie Kohman says for those considering kicking the habit, there’s plenty of help.

“Upstate offers extensive smoking cessation and tobacco cessation counseling services; there are many free programs you can avail yourself of or tell still-smoking residents about.”

The official no-smoking policy by the Syracuse Housing Authority also falls on the same day as the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smoke-out.  

Chris Bolt, Ed.D. has proudly been covering the Central New York community and mentoring students for more than 30 years. His career in public media started as a student volunteer, then as a reporter/producer. He has been the news director for WAER since 1995. Dedicated to keeping local news coverage alive, Chris also has a passion for education, having trained, mentored and provided a platform for growth to more than a thousand students. Career highlights include having work appear on NPR, CBS, ABC and other news networks, winning numerous local and state journalism awards.