The American Lung Association of Oregon (ALAO) has launched a multi-state e-mail campaign asking Craigslist to add a smokefree search box to the rental housing search options within its free online classified listings. Joined by the American Lung Associations of California and Illinois, the regional non-profit affiliates are asking renters and non-renters to join them in asking Craigslist to help make smokefree housing easy to find.

“There is no effective way to contain tobacco smoke within a multi-unit housing environment, and any exposure to secondhand smoke increases a person’s risk of developing lung and cardiovascular disease,” said Colleen Hermann-Franzen, smokefree housing manager for ALAO. “Craigslist is the leader in online classifieds, and we hope that the site will use its authority in the industry to help make smokefree housing easier to find.”

According to a 2006 survey conducted by ALAO and its smokefree housing project partners, 75 percent of local renters prefer smokefree housing. Within the past year, with the help of ALAO, other regional and national rental listing services, including www.OregonLive.com and www.ApartmentGuide.com, have begun offering renters a smokefree search option.

Since the campaign’s November launch, hundreds of supporters have sent e-mails supporting a smokefree search option to Craigslist.

According to the 2006 U.S. Surgeon General’s Report:

• Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 known chemical compounds, including carbon monoxide, ammonia, formaldehyde, and hydrogen cyanide.
• Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear problems, and more severe asthma.
• Exposure of adults to secondhand smoke has immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and causes coronary heart disease and lung cancer.
• Evidence indicates that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.