Smoke-Free Policy

Resolution # 693

Purpose: The Fort Scott Housing Authority (FSHA) has a responsibility to tenants, guests, visitors and employees to provide a safe and healthy environment. Research shows that tobacco use in general, including smoking and breathing secondhand smoke, constitutes a significant health hazard. In addition to causing direct health hazards, smoking contributes to institutional costs in other ways, including fire damage, cleaning and maintenance costs, as well as management time to address complaint issues.

Policy: Therefore, the Fort Scott Housing Authority adopts a Smoke-Free Policy to make the entire property smoke-free. Smoking is prohibited in all buildings and outside areas managed by the Fort Scott Housing Authority.

Smoking is prohibited in all buildings and outside areas (including parking lots) managed by the FSHA. This Policy will be in effect on February 1, 2018, it applies to all tenants, guests, visitors, service personnel, employees and new tenants of the FSHA.
For the purpose of this policy, the term "smoking" means inhaling, exhaling, breathing, or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, or other tobacco products including the use of an electronic cigarette, pipes and water pipes (also known as hookahs). The term "electronic cigarette" means any device that provides a vapor of liquid nicotine or other substance to the user as they simulate smoking. The term shall include such devices whether they are manufactured or referred to as e-cigarette, e-cigars, e-pipes or under any product name.

Monitoring and Enforcement: The FSHA will monitor the property on a regular basis to ensure compliance of the smoke-free policy. Complaints will be investigated, which may include talking to neighbors and/or following-up on previously reported violations. Tenants residing in public housing may be subject to lease termination if they choose not to comply with the smoke-free lease addendum or allow their guest/visitors to violate the policy. Any persons not residing in public housing will be asked to leave the property for non-compliance of the smoke-free policy.

Steps to enforce smoke-free policy:

1st offense - Verbal warning and documentation placed in office file
2nd offense - Written warning and documentation placed in office file
3rd offense - Final notice to correct and documentation place in office file
4th offense - Lease termination

Tenant Certification- I have read and understand the above Smoke-free Policy and I agree to comply fully with the provisions. I understand that failure to comply may constitute reason for lease termination.