In the News
Atlanta Apartment Association, Emory Prevention Research Center and the Georgia Department of Public Health team up on smoke-free recognition program
ATLANTA (Dec. 9, 2019) – The Atlanta Apartment Association (AAA) has partnered with the Emory Prevention Research Center (EPRC) and the Georgia Department of Public Health in the BreatheEasy Georgia Homes coalition to promote smoke-free living for all Georgia residents.
BreatheEasy Georgia Homes consists of stakeholders, organizations and public health agencies that cooperate to reduce secondhand smoke exposure in multifamily housing. As part of these efforts, BreatheEasy Georgia Homes provides a smoke-free recognition program that recognizes and promotes apartment communities providing a smoke-free environment for their residents and staff.
“The argument for adopting a smoke-free policy is strong.” said Jim Fowler, president of AAA. “The benefit for both owners and residents is undeniable, as units that have been smoked in cost two to three times more to clean and maintain. Whereas a non-smoking apartment costs approximately $560 to turn-over, a smoked-in apartment can cost as much $3,515 to turn-over, and that cost falls on both the property owner and residents.”
Additionally, Fowler noted that going smoke-free can save communities money and prevent harm, as well as foster a healthier lifestyle for all residents. BreatheEasy Georgia Homes provides the guidance for communities to transition their apartment homes and common spaces to smoke-free living by engaging residents through advanced surveying and notice, providing written reminders and adopting clear, consistently enforced written policy.
Promoting smoke free-living continues in the footsteps of the AAA’s mission for healthy, enjoyable apartment living. Apartment living is already a healthier lifestyle choice for Atlanta residents, producing a smaller carbon footprint than living in a single-family house or townhouse, as apartments are built up in walkable communities rather than out.
“We spoke with residents who live in smoke-free apartment communities in Georgia and the majority of them support their apartment’s smoke-free policy, even the smokers.” Says EPRC Director, Michelle Kegler. “Many of them told us that they liked the policy because it reduced smell and risk of fires, made the premises and units cleaner, improved the health of residents, and helped them or other residents quit smoking.”
AAA’s mission is to support its members through legislative and industry representation, education programs, information, networking, and community relations with an unwavering commitment to fostering safe, affordable and enjoyable apartment living in metro Atlanta. As the representative agency for an industry that provides homes to millions of Georgians, AAA believes encouraging smoke-free living in Georgia’s multifamily communities is a key component of advancing enjoyable apartment living across our State.
The BreatheEasy Georgia Homes coalition was formed to educate property managers, property owners, management companies and residents on the benefits of going smoke-free. “We look forward to being part of promoting BreatheEasy and seeing the health, economic and safety benefits in the communities we are dedicated to advocating for” said Fowler.
For more information, visit breatheeasygahomes.org.
About the Atlanta Apartment Association (AAA)
The Atlanta Apartment Association is the multifamily housing trade association for the Atlanta Metro area. Founded in 1975, AAA is one of the largest local apartment associations in the country and an affiliate of the Georgia Apartment Association and the National Apartment Association. Currently, AAA represents over 1,450-member companies consisting of 370 companies managing nearly 400,000+ apartment homes, and over 1100 businesses that provide products and services to the industry. For more information, please visit: www.atl-apt.org.
About the Emory Prevention Research Center (EPRC)
The Emory Prevention Research Center (EPRC), located at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, conducts research and evaluation studies to understand how social and physical environments affect tobacco use, physical activity, nutrition, obesity and cancer screening. Much of the EPRC’s research is developed in collaboration with community partners in rural, southwest Georgia. The EPRC also conducts trainings and disseminates and translates research into practice to strengthen chronic disease prevention efforts and promote community involvement in prevention research. For more information, please visit: http://web1.sph.emory.edu/eprc/