Introduction of the Smoke-Free Public Housing Policy in the United States and its Implications for Korea

Secondhand smoke exposure in multiunit housing poses a significant health risk.In Korea, the current smoke-free policy for multiunit housing allows residents to designate shared areas of apartment complexes (i.e., hallways, stairs, elevators, and parking lots) as non-smoking areas.However, this policy does not extend to private spaces, including residential units and balconies, leaving gaps in protection.This paper examines the smoke-free policy for public (i.e., government-subsidized) housing in the United States (US), which prohibits smoking in all indoor areas, including residents' units, and outdoor areas within 25 feet of the building entrance.We review the US policy's history, scientific rationale, and evaluation, and discuss the implications of the policy to the smoke-free housing policy in Korea.The US experience highlights the importance of extending non-smoking areas throughout indoor areas of apartment complexes and provides strategic lessons for successful implementation (e.g., resident engagement, effective communication, smoking cessation support, designating appropriate smoking areas, establishing realistic enforcement methods, and partnering with external organizations).This paper calls for further research and policy discussions to promote a more comprehensive smoke-free housing policy in Korea.