SHIP stories
The Statewide Health Improvement Program
(SHIP) works to improve health through better
nutrition, increased physical activity and
decreased commercial tobacco use and exposure.
Across the state, one key to success for SHIP
efforts is working with communities. As of June
2011:
• Because of SHIP, 227 apartment buildings
have adopted smoke free policies. Another
142 are working toward it.
3,850 residents now free of
second-hand smoke in their
Dakota County homes
Addressing the problem of second hand smoke is an
important part of Dakota County’s SHIP efforts.
Before SHIP, little outreach was done to Dakota
County multi-unit housing properties to encourage or
support adoption of smoke-free policies. Through SHIP,
approximately 1,100 Dakota County landlords and
building managers and 40,000 community members
have been educated about the benefits of smokefree buildings and the harmful effects of secondhand
smoke. Now, 31 Dakota County multi-unit housing
buildings have implemented a smoke-free policy, many
serve low-income and senior residents. As a result,
3,850 residents are no longer exposed to smoke in
their homes.
One example is Apple Valley Villa, a building for
seniors with 208 units. A common concern of property
www.health.state.mn.us/divs/oshii
managers is enforcement of a smoke-free policy in a
large building. After working with SHIP, the Dakota
County Community Development Agency (CDA), a local
government agency that works to improve the lives of
residents through affordable housing and community
development, designated five of their senior buildings
as smoke-free and plan to make future buildings
smoke-free. Considering that low-income families and
individuals such as those served by CDA are more
often impacted by secondhand smoke exposure, this is
seen as a very significant and successful partnership,
and is proof that it is possible to implement a policy
successfully.
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SHIP is working to make the healthy choice the easy
choice in Minnesota. Find out how at
www.health.state.mn.us/ship