a new design on urban planning
m-group.us 307 Orchard City Drive #110 Campbell, CA 95008 1 Date: September 18, 2025
To: Housing Policy & Resource Committee
City of Hayward
From: Asher Kohn, M-Group
Re: Multi-Unit Housing Smoke-Free Ordinance Outreach Summary
This summary is Attachment 2 of the Staff Report reviewing the Smoke-Free Ordinance Update.
Executive Summary
The community outreach event for the Hayward Multi-Unit Housing Smoke-Free Ordinance took place on May 20, 2025, between 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Eden Youth & Family Center.
The event gave renters an opportunity to be informed about the multi-unit housing smoke- free ordinance and allowed them to share their thoughts. During the event, a presentation was given by Alameda County Public Health Department, M-Group, and Eden Youth. It was simultaneously interpreted into Spanish, and both English and Spanish-language versions of the slides were available.
Generally, participants desired the following:
• More smoke-free areas in their communities
• Fears of complaining about smokers, due to retribution or being ignored • Fears for health impacts on young children living in smoky environments • Great distance between smokers and residential areas
During the presentation, three members of the public spoke about their experiences. One spoke about the experience she was having with her neighbor. She indicated that her neighbor was smoking, and it was affecting her health. Another spoke about how her co- workers were constantly smoking around her. Her health has been impacted, and she indicated that she gets headaches. The final speaker shared that she was having issues with her neighbor that smokes. She indicated that she reached out to management to see if they could help address the smoking. The smoking issue was temporarily resolved when she reached out to management, but it continues to be an issue.
After the presentation, the group was guided through three discussion topics:
• How would you navigate a situation where someone was smoking in your building? • What parts of your building should be smoke-free?
• How far is sufficiently far to smoke?
a new design on urban planning
m-group.us 307 Orchard City Drive #110 Campbell, CA 95008 2 For these topics, participants could write their responses on a sticky note and post them on a board. Participants were also invited to talk to the outreach team and each other.
How would you navigate a situation where someone was smoking in your building?
There were 11 responses. One response indicated maintaining distance from the person that smokes. Another response indicated that they’d speak to the person smoking and provide information on how their smoking could impact other’s health. Another response included that they’d speak to the person smoking and tell them that they are doing something incorrect. Another person indicated that they’d move to a different location. A response included that they should be kindly warned that their smoking is affecting everyone in the building and that they should be offered help. If those things do not help the situation, the response includes fines or eviction.
Only one response addressed a warning letter from the property manager, fines, a lease requirement, and that the property manager should be required to enforce it.
Example Comments:
1. My neighbors would know it was me if I made a complaint to the manager, since it is just us two. I would have problems.
2. I close windows and doors but I always absorb the smell of cigarettes or marijuana.
3. I know people that have two infants and smoke around the infants. I don’t know how to help these infants.
What parts of your building should be smoke-free?
There were 11 responses to this question. Responses include desiring smoke-free swimming pool areas, entryways, elevators, stairways, and hallways. Additional responses include parking spaces, yards, in every base of the building, and laundry rooms. Additional responses include areas where kids and pets are located. One response addressed that everywhere should be smoke-free, including inside units, balconies, patios, and common areas. One person indicated that the entire unit (entire multi-family complex) should remain smoke-free and additionally, shops should remain smoke-free. Another response addressed specific locations, including sidewalks, alleys, parking garages, public parks, and outdoor concerts.
How far is sufficiently far to smoke?
a new design on urban planning
m-group.us 307 Orchard City Drive #110 Campbell, CA 95008 3 There were seven responses to this question and one response consisted of a question.
Responses include 100 feet away and a few miles away from the building. A person indicated that there’s no sufficient distance for smoking. Another response addressed specific locations, including sidewalks, alleys, parking garages, public parks, and outdoor concerts. Someone responded three kilometers away from their home. Another response indicated 10 miles away.