Smoking ban rollout begins in Housing NWT units

The territorial government is beginning a phased implementation of its smoking ban in all Housing NWT units.

The ban was first announced by housing minister Lucy Kuptana in March.

Last week in the Legislative Assembly, she provided further detail on how the ban would be rolled out in Housing NWT’s 2,400 units – first in new leases and renewals, then existing tenants will be given a grace period before the ban is fully implemented.

Kuptana said this phased rollout is “equitable, fair and compassionate, with a constructive approach that focuses on education and tenant support.”

“We are here to support tenants as they move toward smoke-free living,” said Kuptana, noting that Housing NWT is sharing health department resources with tenants about how to quit smoking.

Citing the negative health outcomes correlated with smoking and second-hand smoke, Kuptana said the ban will help “create healthy living environments for all residents, especially children, seniors, and those with respiratory conditions.”

Kuptana said Housing NWT consultations with Indigenous governments, tenants, local housing organizations and others indicated strong support for protecting non-smokers from second-hand smoke and reducing smoking rates.

The latest available data, from 2023, suggests 28 percent of NWT residents aged 15 or over currently smoke. By comparison, a nationwide survey from 2022 found that 12 percent of all Canadians aged 15 or over smoke cigarettes.

Smoking is most popular among NWT residents aged 15 to 34, where 32 percent of people say they are smokers. That drops to 22 percent for people aged 60 or over.

Almost 48 percent of the territory’s Indigenous population smokes, the 2023 NWT Tobacco, Alcohol and Drug Survey found. That figure falls to 10 percent for the non-Indigenous population.

“It is the GNWT’s responsibility to support individuals and families to stay healthy. It is also our responsibility to reduce damage to units and loss of units, as we are currently experiencing a housing crisis,” Kuptana continued.

The ban covers all Housing NWT owned and operated units, including market and public housing.

Kuptana also said the ban will reduce the risk of smoking-related fires and reduce costs associated with cleaning or fixing units damaged by smoke.

“That means we will be able to put more resources toward other critical housing needs,” she said.