New York

Smoking Ban to Be Enacted in New York City and More Than 3,000 Public Housing Agencies Nationwide

Childhood asthma was a primary reason for the mandate, the Department of Housing and Urban Development says

What to Know

  • The Obama administration has banned smoking in NYCHA buildings and public housing developments nationwide
  • The new rule requires NYCHA and 3,100 other public housing agencies implement smoke-free policies over the next 18 months
  • Roughly 400,000 NYCHA residents will be affected by the ban, NYC Smoke-Free estimates

Smoking in NYCHA residences will soon go to ashes: a new mandate passed by the Obama administration has banned smoking in NYCHA dwellings and public housing developments throughout the country.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development's new mandate requires that NYCHA and roughly 3,100 other public housing agencies nationwide put smoke-free policies into effect over the next 18 months.

Childhood asthma was a primary reason behind the ban, HUD Secretary Julian Castro announced Wednesday in Boston.

Under the ban, cigarettes, cigars and pipes can't be lit in NYCHA apartments, indoor common areas, administrative offices or within 25 feet of public housing buildings. Before the ban, smoking was only forbidden in NYCHA building lobbies, hallways and stairwells.

Roughly 400,000 New Yorkers will be affected by the new mandate, according to NYC Smoke-Free. One-third of NYCHA residents reported having at least one child with asthma, according to the New York-based nonprofit organization's findings. 

A 2012 survey conducted by NYCHA found that 75 percent of its residents prefer to live in smoke-free buildings.

Contact Us