Background and rationale {6a}
Tobacco use remains a public health priority, especially for racial/ethnic minorities and low-income populations [Individuals’ private homes have traditionally been considered outside the scope of appropriate smoking regulations [It should be noted that disadvantaged groups are more likely to live in multiunit housing. Residents of multiunit dwellings have reported higher smoking [Moreover, in a key study, 89% of non-smoking households were exposed to secondhand smoke resulting in involuntary smoking activity as high as one cigarette per day [Early studies of smoke-free housing policies have shown some protections from smoking hazards for smokers and non-smokers alike through decreased indoor secondhand smoke exposure, decreased smoking overall, and increased quit attempts [Hernández (PI) explored the multifaceted reasons for non-compliance, captured in the “social contract of smoke-free housing” concept which describes factors such as social ties and bi-directional rights and obligations between residents and property management that play a role in compliance [This randomized control trial (RCT) addresses key gaps in knowledge and capitalizes on unique scientific opportunities that (1) leverage the HUD smoking ban within a large public housing system that will enable an adequately powered RCT; (2) expand understanding beyond smoke-free policy implementation to focus on compliance and effectiveness, and (3) address population and location-specific tobacco disparities.