At this year’s Commercial Tobacco Prevention Conference, hosted by Minnesota Department of Health with the theme “Resilient Together: Adapting to the Evolving Landscape of Commercial Tobacco“, Live Smoke Free joined grantees and partners from across Minnesota to share critical updates, insights, and inspiration around commercial tobacco prevention.
Live Smoke Free and partners had the opportunity to present as a panel titled “Smoke-Free Housing Insights”. As laws evolve and community needs shift, these sessions explored what it takes to build healthier, more equitable smoke-free homes across Minnesota.
The New Era of Smoke-Free Housing
Presented by:
Alex Eberhart, Live Smoke Free
Jackie Siewert, Hennepin County Public Health
Rachel Callanan, Public Health Law Center
This session provided a forward looking lens on smoke-free housing policy in Minnesota. With the legalization of adult-use cannabis and ongoing exposure to commercial tobacco smoke in multi-unit housing, presenters emphasized the need to expand and clarify protections. The session explored legal and policy frameworks that support both voluntary and public smoke- free housing policies, especially in publicly funded housing.
Amplifying Resident Voices on Smoke-Free Housing
Presented by:
Jaclyn Frank, Association for Nonsmokers – MN
This powerful presentation focused on the lived experiences of residents exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes. Jaclyn Frank shared how Live Smoke Free collects and elevates these voices—through voicemails, impact statements, and storytelling—to support policy changes. From voluntary policies at individual properties to citywide initiatives, the stories shared have been a driving force for change
Community Views on Smoke-Free Policies: Lessons Learned from Minneapolis
Presented by:
Evalyn Carbrey, Minneapolis Health Department
Evalyn Carbrey shared findings from five listening sessions held across Minneapolis to better understand community perspectives on smoke-free housing. Participant described frequent secondhand smoke exposure and a lack of recourse. The sessions revealed overwhelming support for a citywide disclosure policy requiring landlords to share smoking rules with tenants, and strong support for a citywide smoke-free multi-unit housing policy. These insights will inform future public health policy development in Minneapolis and beyond.
Together, these sessions highlighted the progress, persistence, and partnerships that define smoke-free housing efforts in Minnesota. Live Smoke Free is proud to collaborate with so many passionate public health professionals and advocates who are working to protect residents from secondhand smoke and ensure access to healthier homes for all.
Want to learn more or collaborate with us? Visit mnsmokefreehousing.org or email us at info@mnsmokefreehousing.org