Smoking/Vape Policy
The ReCenter Foundation’s Smoke/Vape Free Policy is dedicated to providing a healthy, comfortable, and productive living environment for our Residents.
Numerous studies have found that secondhand smoke is a major contributor to indoor air pollution. Breathing secondhand smoke (also known as tobacco smoke pollution) is a main cause of disease in healthy nonsmokers, including heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, and lung cancer. The National Cancer Institute determined in 1999 that secondhand smoke is responsible for the early deaths of up to 65,000 Americans annually. The Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires that disabled persons have access to public places and workplaces, deems impaired respiratory function to be a disability.
The U.S. Surgeon General has determined that the simple separation of smokers and nonsmokers within the same air space may reduce, but does not eliminate, the exposure of nonsmokers to secondhand smoke. The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that secondhand smoke cannot be reduced to safe levels in buildings by high rates of ventilation. Air cleaners, which are only capable of filtering the particulate matter and odors in smoke, do not eliminate the known toxins in secondhand smoke. A significant amount of secondhand smoke exposure occurs in the workplace.
Those who live in smoke-filled residence suffer a 25-50% higher risk of heart attack and higher rates of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer, as well as increased acute respiratory disease and measurable decrease in lung function.
Smoke-filled residences result in higher employment absenteeism due to respiratory disease, lower productivity, higher cleaning and maintenance costs, increased health insurance rates, and increased liability claims for diseases related to exposure to secondhand smoke.
In light of these findings, The ReCenter Foundation shall be entirely smoke/vape free. Smoking or vaping shall not be permitted in any room within the facility. This includes common living areas, chapel, kitchens, meeting rooms, private offices, hallways, stairs, bathrooms, vehicles, and all other enclosed spaces. This policy applies to all Residents, staff, and visitors.
Smoking may take place outside of the facility in designated places.
Copies of this policy shall be distributed to all Residents.
