Write a letter to your building manager or landlord.
Explain your problem and offer solutions.
If appropriate, include a copy of a letter from your doctor explaining your health problems.
Keep copies of any correspondence.
Follow up by approaching your landlord to discuss the situation.
Be positive, polite and stick to the issue.
Work together to solve the problem instead of getting angry or yelling.
Remember, policy change is not something that occurs overnight, so remain positive and constructive.
Offer solutions.
Work with your landlord and offer to help think of or implement some solutions. Be clear aboutwhat you would prefer to happen.
Solutions could include conducting a resident survey, holding a residents' meeting, relocating to a different part of the building or ending your lease early to move to a smokefree building.
Request that your landlord seal all gaps in the wallboards, outlet covers and piping to minimizethe amount of smoke traveling into your unit from other areas of the building.
Provide information.
Give your landlord information on the dangers of being exposed to secondhand smoke.
Explain the benefits of having a smokefree building.
Refer them to Smokefree Vermont for more information.
Emphasize that building owners can legally make their buildings smokefree.
For HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) subsidized units, point out that changing “house rules” or adding a lease addendum may be easier to accomplish thanmaking a formal lease change.
Suggest that smokefree units can be established.
For current residents, a smokefree policy can be signed during each resident's lease renewal.
