Perceived motivators and barriers to implementation of a smoke-free common area policy in multiunit housing in urban Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, residents of multiunit housing (MUH) face a high risk of exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS). Although smoke-free policies are widely recognised as an effective intervention to protect MUH residents, they have received limited attention from policymakers in the country. This study aimed to determine stakeholders' preferences for smoke-free policies and to explore their perspectives on the motivators and barriers to implementing the most preferred smoke-free policy- a common area policy-in MUH complexes in urban Bangladesh. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted among 50 participants, purposively selected from three diverse groups: housing management committees (HMCs), tobacco control civil society organisations (CSOs), and the Bangladesh Fire Service & Civil Defence (FSCD) across seven divisional cities in Bangladesh. Data were collected through key informant interviews (KIIs) and analysed using an inductive thematic analysis approach. The majority of participants were aged 40 to 59 years, held at least a bachelor's degree, were job holders, had lived in MUH for 10 to 19 years, and were identified as non-smokers. All participants reported that no smoke-free policy currently existed in the multiunit housing where they resided. The majority expressed a preference for a smoke-free common area policy in housing complexes. The findings revealed four main motivators for introducing such a policy in MUH: protection of health, reduced maintenance costs, conflict mitigation, and a lower risk of fire accidents. Conversely, several barriers were identified, including smokers' reluctance, limited understanding of the policy, difficulties in monitoring compliance, tenancy vacancies, and implementation costs. To ensure effective development and implementation of smoke-free common area policies, policymakers and housing authorities should consider both the perceived motivators and barriers. Further research involving a boarder range of stakeholders is recommended to gain a better understanding of the dynamics influencing successful policy implementation in MUH complexes.