Between 2022 and 2024, the Minneapolis Health Department (MHD) partnered with Live Smoke Free (LSF) in an iterative data gathering process to identify community support and concerns about potential citywide smoke-free multi-unit housing policies.
In 2022, eight key informant interviews were completed with a Tenant Legal Advocate, Real Estate Expert, Minneapolis City Leadership Staff, Public Housing Leader, Minneapolis City Councilmember, Tenants’ Rights Organizer, Rental Licensing Expert, and an Affordable Housing Provider/Advocate. All key informants were generally supportive of citywide policies to support smoke-free housing, noting the public health benefit; however, some expressed concerns that policies may have a disparate impact on housing stability for people who smoke.
In 2023, 175 community surveys were collected during outreach at six community events between June and October 2023. The majority of Minneapolis residents surveyed reported that smoking should not be allowed in multi-unit housing
Between December 2023 and October 2024, LSF and MHD partnered with community-based organizations to hold five listening sessions reaching diverse community groups including Black/African American, East African, Native American, Asian and Asian American, and Latinx communities. Most participants were regularly exposed to secondhand smoke, and felt they had no course of action to change that. There was overwhelming support for a citywide disclosure policy, with little to no opposition. There was also strong support for a citywide smoke-free multi-unit housing policy, with potential barriers presented that should be considered in the implementation of this policy.
To learn more, read the one page summary or the full report for each step of the data gathering process:
Community Listening Sessions Report
Key informant interview summary available upon request