Print icon Print

Smoke-Free NYCHA

To learn more about the Smoke-Free NYCHA Liaison Program, please click here.

Questions? Ideas? Contact NYCHA Health Initiatives at smoke-free@nycha.nyc.gov or via telephone at (212) 306-8282.

NYCHA’s smoke-free initiative, Smoke-Free NYCHA, is designed to create healthier homes for residents and healthier working environments for employees by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke and providing support to residents and employees who smoke and want to quit.

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Secondhand smoke can trigger asthma attacks and lead to stroke, heart attack, cancer, and respiratory illness. Children and seniors, nearly half of all NYCHA residents, are often impacted the most. Eliminating smoking indoors and close to buildings is the best way to protect people from exposure to second hand smoke.

Consistent with HUD regulation, NYCHA prohibits the use of cigarettes, cigars, pipes and hookah pipes anywhere inside public housing buildings and within 25 feet of any NYCHA building.

The new policy took effect July 30, 2018. To read the policy, click here.


Playback issues? Watch this video in your browser.
Audio Description: This video is a short film about the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) requirement that all public housing be smoke-free by July 30, 2018. It features interviews with tenant leaders and residents about its impact on NYCHA residents.

Image of the Smoke-free Palm Card
DOHMH/NYCHA Smoke-Free Housing Palm Card in English | Español | 中文 | Русский

Learn more about NYCHA’s collaboration with residents, the NYC Health Department and other partners:

Smoke-Free Interactive Map

Picture of smoke free map

NYCHA’s Smoke-Free policy prohibits the smoking of tobacco products within twenty-five (25) feet of public housing buildings. Questions about the 25 foot buffer at your development? This online map allows you to search by development, address, or by zooming into the map to view the 25 free distance around a NYCHA building marked in yellow.

Smoking increases your risk of respiratory infections and pneumonia, as well as the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. If you are interested in quitting help is available.

Get Help Quitting Smoking 

Additional Resources