SHIP stories
The Statewide Health Improvement Program
(SHIP) supports apartment building owners who
want to put in place policies restricting smoking,
reducing second‑hand smoke exposure and
lowering maintenance costs.
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At the end of its first three years, SHIP
has helped approximately 24,000
apartments go smoke-free, meaning up to
52,000 people are no longer exposed to
secondhand smoke at home.
Bringing in the New Year
Smoke Free
Eliminating tobacco use and secondhand smoke was a
clear choice for one apartment building in Park Rapids,
Minnesota. With the help of Smoke Fee Housing and
the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP),
residents of the River Heights Apartments can now rest
easy knowing their building is smoke-free.
When residents were surveyed on their preference
for a smoke-free apartment building, it was obvious
that they wanted a healthier and cleaner environment
in which to live in. Sharon Voyda, Manager at River
Heights Apartments explained, “It is clear that the
majority of residents do not want to be exposed to
secondhand smoke in their homes. We believe this
policy will create a safer and healthier environment for
all our residents.” The new smoke-free policy went into
effect for their facility on January 1st, 2013.
The Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) works to
improve health through better nutrition, increased physical activity
and decreased commercial tobacco use and exposure. Find out
more at www.health.state.mn.us/ship
SHIP Coordinator, Diane Brophy organized a
celebration for the residents in conjunction with the
Great American Smokeout. Along with city officials and
community agencies, residents shared their excitement
for the policy with each other. One resident said, “I’m
so glad we are going smoke-free because we live in
a building with many people who have asthma, COPD
and heart disease, and these are our neighbors.”
Helping celebrate, Marti Lundin, of Bemidji office of
the American Lung Association stated, “according to the
U.S. Surgeon General, breathing secondhand smoke
for even a short time can have immediate negative
health effects. I applaud River Heights Apartments’
board and management for taking this monumental
step to protect the health of residents.”
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3/2013