Open AccessRealtors as Partners in Tobacco Control: Results from a Pennsylvania Survey
Author(s) -
Ann C. Klassen,
Nora Lee,
Jessica P. Lopez,
Chloe Bernardin,
Ryan Coffman,
Muna Tefferi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
tobacco regulatory science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2333-9748
DOI - 10.18001/trs.6.6.3
Subject(s) - tobacco control , secondhand smoke , smoke , third hand smoke , environmental health , control (management) , tobacco smoke , passive smoking , smoking cessation , advertising , smoking ban , indoor air , business , medicine , public health , nursing , cigarette smoke , engineering , economics , management , pathology , sidestream smoke , waste management , environmental engineering
Objectives: Despite success of clean indoor air efforts, home smoking exposes residents to secondhand smoke (SHS) and thirdhand smoke (THS). Home sales offer sellers opportunity to establish smoke-free homes, to improve salability, and promote both exposure reduction and cessation. We explored realtor experiences with smoking-permitted home sales, views on SHS and THS, and attitudes towards mandatory disclosure of in-home smoking in sales. Methods: In 2019, 329 realtors in four Philadelphia-area counties completed on-line surveys capturing both closed-ended and open text responses, regarding the impact of smoking on sales. Results: Virtually all (96%) of respondents reported greater difficulty selling smoking-permitted homes, and buyers with young children or health concerns least likely to consider such properties. Although 65% saw client concerns as primarily aesthetic, 30% felt health concerns played a role. Only 20% saw mandatory disclosure of tobacco use history as negative, with 27% viewing this as positive, and 53% predicting mixed impact. Conclusions: In-home smoking negatively impacts realtors. Tobacco control should consider disclosure as one policy strategy. Advocates and realtors should help sellers establish smoke-free properties and address tobacco-related residue, with long-term goals of maintaining smoke-free homes to support cessation.