Extended-stay hotels are lodgings that offer long-term accommodations (weeks- or months-long stays) at a discounted rate. These hotels offer a convenient, affordable option when people need temporary housing, such as if they were recently evicted from a previous apartment or need somewhere affordable to live while saving money to move somewhere permanent. However, many of these hotels do not enforce smokefree policies, exposing residents to second- and thirdhand smoke.
Dr. Terri Lewinson and her team at Dartmouth College asked people who had lived in extended-stay hotels for 3 weeks up to 18 months about their concerns and experiences with tobacco smoke exposure. They also asked the residents their thoughts on how no-smoking policies would impact the hotels and residents. Here are some of their main findings:
- Everyone had seen or smelled smoke at their hotel at least once during their stay.
- Almost one-third smelled it daily.
- Most people thought tobacco smoke is harmful.
- Over half believed thirdhand smoke sticks to surfaces and is hard to clean.
Overall, participants saw benefits to the hotels enacting no-smoking policies. They believed the policies would protect families and reduce other drug use. They said these benefits would make living in an extended-stay hotel easier and reduce their tobacco smoke exposure.
Even with these benefits, participants noted challenges to no-smoking policies. Some worried what would happen to residents who broke the rules, such as large fines or eviction. Others felt hotel management would not even enforce a no-smoking policy.
The study by Lewinson and her team shows that most people know the risks of tobacco smoke, but they cannot always afford to avoid the toxic exposure. Everyone deserves a smokefree home, regardless of their living situation. No smoking policies in extended-stay hotels can help balance cost, convenience, and health for residents.
Click here to read the study.
