The American Lung Association of Oregon (ALAO) has launched a multi-state e-mail campaign asking Craigslist to add a smokefree search box to the rental housing search options within its free online classified listings. Joined by the American Lung Associations of California and Illinois, the regional non-profit affiliates are asking renters and non-renters to join them in asking Craigslist to help make smokefree housing easy to find.
"There is no effective way to contain tobacco smoke within a multi-unit housing environment, and any exposure to secondhand smoke increases a person's risk of developing lung and cardiovascular disease," said Colleen Hermann-Franzen, smokefree housing manager for ALAO. "Craigslist is the leader in online classifieds, and we hope that the site will use its authority in the industry to help make smokefree housing easier to find."
According to a 2006 survey conducted by ALAO and its smokefree housing project partners, 75 percent of local renters prefer smokefree housing. Within the past year, with the help of ALAO, other regional and national rental listing services, including www.OregonLive.com and www.ApartmentGuide.com, have begun offering renters a smokefree search option.
Since the campaign's November launch, hundreds of supporters have sent e-mails supporting a smokefree search option to Craigslist.
For more information about the campaign or to send a letter of support, visit: http://lungaction.org/campaign/craigslist_now.
According to the 2006 U.S. Surgeon General's Report:
- Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 known chemical compounds, including carbon monoxide, ammonia, formaldehyde, and hydrogen cyanide.
- Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear problems, and more severe asthma.
- Exposure of adults to secondhand smoke has immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and causes coronary heart disease and lung cancer.
- Evidence indicates that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
About Smokefree Housing Project
The Portland, Ore., and Vancouver, Wash., Metro Area Smokefree Housing Project offers smokefree housing resources to landlords and tenants in a four-county area. The project is led by ALAO and the health departments of Clark County, Wash., and Oregon's Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties. Additional information about smokefree policies is available at: www.smokefreehousingNW.com.
About the American Lung Association of Oregon (ALAO)
ALAO is the oldest national voluntary public health nonprofit organization in Oregon. Headquartered in Portland, Ore., the organization's mission is to prevent lung disease and promote lung health throughout the state. ALAO's core program focuses are asthma, clean air, tobacco prevention and lung disease. ALAO uses public education and research, and encourages policy change, to decrease the effects of lung disease in the state. The nonprofit is funded by grants and public donations and is a certified State of Oregon 501 (c)(3). More information is available online at www.lungoregon.org.