Download BC Resident Survey

Between January and February 2008, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of B.C. & Yukon commissioned BC Stats to conduct a survey of 1,000 British Columbians living in condominiums and apartments about their experiences with second-hand smoke.

The survey found that while most British Columbians are protected from exposure to second-hand smoke at work and in public places, more than 200,000 residents of condominiums and apartments are being exposed to unwanted smoke infiltrating their homes. This is an alarming trend given that the majority of British Columbians (85 per cent) are non-smokers and that multi-unit households make up close to forty percent of all residences in BC.

Survey highlights:

• Only 9% of condo owners smoke, which is significantly lower than the provincial smoking rate of 15%.
  
• There is a clear market demand for smoke-free housing. The majority of condo owners (71%) would prefer to live in a building that is 100% smoke-free.
  
• The majority of households with smokers are already taking action to protect their families by banning smoking inside, or restricting to outside balconies.
  
• Of condo households with smokers, 84% do not allow residents or guests to smoke inside the home or on the property.
  
• Over one-third of condominium and apartment dwellers are exposed to unwanted second-hand smoke from their neighbours; Of those condo owners exposed, the majority DON’T COMPLAIN (84%).
  
• Over two-thirds of those exposed to second-hand smoke from elsewhere in their building say it bothers them.
• The most common sources of second-hand smoke are from neighbouring units and outside balconies.