Heart Health: Plaza Properties implements smoke free policy for apartment residents
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)- Plaza Properties implements smoke free policy to promote a healthy living environment for all guests.
According to Christine Galvis, Manager of Plaza Properties, the policy was implemented last year with the help of the American Heart Association, and has received positive feedback from its residents.
“Like I said, we implemented this last year and what we've done moving forward is with any new residents that have moved in, we've actually provided them with information prior to their move in, letting them know that this is a pre-qualification to move into our community,” said Galvis.
Galvis said smoke free communities create healthier environments year round.
“There's a couple of things that are really harmful, that have harmful effects with smoking and these were things that we just couldn't ignore anymore,” she said.
Galvis added that second hand smoke is a big deal and travels from apartment to apartment through light fixtures, plumbing, and walls. She said the property has also increased maintenance costs that are affiliated with people that smoke in the apartments.
"We're looking at not only having to repaint the entire apartment, we'll have to replace carpets, flooring, clean air ducts, and that, of course, the time that it takes for a maintenance team to get that done," she said.
Galvis encourages other property owners to reach out to the American Heart Association if this is a policy they also want to include in their own apartment complex.
