Prospective Evaluation of a Comprehensive Smoke-Free Public Housing Policy in a Multi-State Setting

The Standard Intervention will be offered to residents at all of Beacon Communities properties, regardless of the presence of this study. The standard intervention will be implemented as part of the smoke-free initiative roll out and will consist of: monthly articles in newsletters, re-usable shopping bag giveaways touting cessation messages, information provided via the property websites, and training of Residential Service Coordinators (RSCs) using the 8-session smoking cessation group training provided by the American Lung Association. The RSCs will offer group cessation counseling sessions for residents who would like support to quit smoking.

"At a subset of 6 Beacon Communities properties, residents will receive an 'enhanced intervention' in addition to the 'standard intervention' that Beacon Communities is already providing. The enhanced intervention will consist of the following:~1. A web-based smoking cessation intervention via Facebook~2. Enhanced gain-framed messaging communicated via several channels. Gain framed messages will incorporate themes of smoking cessation and policies which aim to distinguish from the vast 'library' of traditional messages which focus on loss-framing.~3. A behavioral nudge designed to enhance public support for the smoke free policy, through personal adoption and adherence to the policy. This will be done by promoting a publicly viewable pledge program."