Film Screening, Awards Ceremony Spotlight Smoke-Free NYCHA 

A new short film brings to light the wealth of resources available for NYCHA residents who are looking to quit or cut back on smoking and take action to help reduce exposure to secondhand smoke.  

“Smoke-Free NYCHA: We All Share the Air” is a six-minute film about Smoke-Free NYCHA’s partnership with the NYC Health Department to provide residents with free support to change their tobacco use as well as education on the Authority’s smoke-free policy. The film follows resident Smoke-Free NYCHA Liaisons as they conduct outreach about the smoke-free policy and tobacco treatment resources. It also features several resident leaders who speak to issues around smoking and secondhand smoke in their communities.  

On April 10, NYCHA hosted its first official screening of “We All Share the Air” at the 90 Church Street Ceremonial Room, in conjunction with an awards ceremony. Following the screening, awards were presented to recognize community members and partners who have made significant contributions in support of Smoke-Free NYCHA.   

The smoke-free initiative aims to create healthier homes for residents and healthier working environments for employees by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke and providing support to those who smoke and want to quit. Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. In effect since 2018, the Authority’s smoke-free policy prohibits smoking anywhere inside public housing buildings and within 25 feet of any NYCHA building. 

“The smoke-free policy represents a really big shift in norms for our resident community,” Smoke-Free NYCHA Administrator Jyoti Parth notes in the film. “It’s going to take time and support to really build that adherence and create that smoke-free environment that we all know is possible.”   

Recent studies on the smoke-free policy have shown its promise for reducing secondhand smoke exposure for NYCHA residents. For instance, New York University researchers reported a decline in nicotine concentration exposure in NYCHA common areas in the three years after the smoke-free policy took effect. According to the NYC Health Department, the prevalence of smoking among NYCHA residents was found to have decreased from 19 percent in 2017 to 10 percent in 2022.  

In the documentary-style film, NYCHA residents tell their stories of how they have worked to overcome smoking habits and reduce impacts on their family and neighbors, including exposure to secondhand smoke. Local resident association leaders meet with Smoke-Free Liaisons, while speaking about the assistance and resources they’ve received to support their battle with tobacco use.  

“If you want to quit, let’s do this together,” Smoke-Free NYCHA Liaison Shetara Turner tells fellow residents. “You’re not alone in this journey; we can do this!”  

The Smoke-Free Liaison team members serve as community health workers who answer questions about the policy, coach residents who want to quit or reduce tobacco use, and provide relevant resources and informational materials. 

Members of NYCHA’s Resident Health Initiatives team celebrate “Smoke-Free NYCHA: We All Share the Air.”

Former Liaison Lamonte Thomas, who now works as a Housing Assistant, says he meets with residents at their homes to offer support and noted that as a resident himself, he is invested in keeping the community free of smoke.  

“We all share the air, so I want to just try my best to incorporate a healthy environment,” Mr. Thomas says in the film. “What’s gratifying for me is to help and see a process where someone who quit smoking is able to say, ‘I did this with the help of a liaison.’”   

Bernice Kingsberry, Resident Association President at Brooklyn’s Glenwood Houses, praised Mr. Thomas’ work in assisting residents, saying “he’s always there for us.”  

“Mr. Thomas was professional, kind, caring, willing to help, and most of all, he showed me what it was to fight for what’s right,” Ms. Kingsberry said. “He helped me to help my residents in many ways. I will continue to advocate for Smoke-Free NYCHA.” 

After the screening and follow-up discussion, awards were presented to Smoke-Free NYCHA honorees, including Ms. Kingsberry of Glenwood Houses; Kathryn Tannert Niang, Research Analyst for Tobacco Policy and Programs at the NYC Health Department; Angela Hanson, Youth Engagement Officer at Reality Check, a statewide program focused on tobacco control; and Washington Houses residents, recognized for their collective efforts to support the policy.     

“While working with Smoke-Free NYCHA, I’ve witnessed a lot of innovation and creativity as staff worked hard to involve people of all ages,” honoree Ms. Hanson said. “These events created a community feel among the residents which fosters support. I’m looking forward to continuing this work with the Smoke-Free NYCHA team.” 

Fellow awardee Ms. Tannert Niang also noted the longstanding collaboration between NYCHA and the NYC Health Department in supporting residents with access to tobacco treatment and adherence to the policy. 

The film screening event followed Take Down Tobacco Day on April 1, a national day of action in which advocates rally against the tobacco industry. 

Interested in working with Smoke-Free NYCHA? For film screenings, educational workshops, and general information about the policy, please email smoke-free@nycha.nyc.gov.