Grafton Lodge, a 39-unit development in Esquimalt, is completely smoke-free.

Sponsored by the Esquimalt Lions Seniors Housing Society, and managed by the Greater Victoria Housing Society, this building opened in April 2004.

The building contains a mix of market and rent-geared-to-income units and is one of the last projects funded under the HOMES BC program. Twelve units in the lodge are funded under the Vancouver Island Heath Authority Supportive Living Program.

Smoking is not allowed in the tenants’ apartments, balconies or anywhere in the gardens or property surrounding the building.

For more information, contact Kaye Milliship at kaye.milliship@vschs

One of Manitoba’s largest landlords, Globe Agencies, has made all their buildings smoke-free.

We called them to find out how they managed to implement no-smoking policies in all 70 of their Winnipeg-based buildings. CEO Richard Morantz said it was as simple a process as 1-2-3.

1. Amend your tenancy agreement to include a non-smoking clause in all new tenancies that bans smoking in all units, balconies and on the entire property. Or add an Addendum to the tenancy agreement and ensure both landlord and tenant sign it.
2. Advise your existing tenants by letter of the new policy and reassure smoking tenants they will be grandfathered during the length of their tenancy.
3. Advertise your apartments as smoke-free.

Going smoke-free was so successful in Winnipeg, Morantz decided to implement smoke-free policies in all their properties in Saskatoon, Edmonton and Montreal.

He says it makes good business sense:

• Non-smokers make up 80% of the population. There’s market demand – and limited supply.
• Smoke-free buildings have less fire risks, maintenance costs and reduced insurance rates.

“I’m a business man, and from a business perspective, I would highly recommend going smoke-free. It’s easy to do and the benefits are significant,” said Morantz.

The City of St. John’s has adopted new non-smoking rules for its non-profit housing. The rule means that tenants who sign tenancy agreements with the City from now on will have to agree to not smoke inside their units. The rules do not apply to current tenants, who may continue to smoke in their units until they vacate the premises.