Philadelphia Housing Authority bans smoking in units

Public housing agencies across the country have lined up to ban smoking. The Philadelphia Housing Authority became the latest and biggest to do so in the nation after a unanimous vote by its board on Thurday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

The agency cited the health risks associated with smoking, along with the risk of fires in a fact sheet distributed about the ban.

According to PHA, about one-third of public housing residents smoke or live with someone who does. The agency says more than half of public housing residents support the ban.

In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control reported that prohibiting smoking in public housing would save $497 million in health care related and public housing costs.

Over 500 public housing agencies have banned smoking in their units.

Under the policy, residents caught smoking will be given access to programs that help them quit smoking, but repeat offenders could see their leases terminated.