Realtors as Partners in Tobacco Control: Results from a Pennsylvania Survey

Abstract

Objectives: Despite success of clean indoor air efforts, home smoking exposes residents to secondhand smoke (SHS) and thirdhand smoke (THS). Home sales offer sellers opportunity to establish smoke-free homes, to improve salability, and promote both exposure reduction and cessation. We explored realtor experiences with smoking-permitted home sales, views on SHS and THS, and attitudes towards mandatory disclosure of in-home smoking in sales. Methods: In 2019, 329 realtors in four Philadelphia-area counties completed on-line surveys capturing both closed-ended and open text responses, regarding the impact of smoking on sales. Results: Virtually all (96%) of respondents reported greater difficulty selling smoking-permitted homes, and buyers with young children or health concerns least likely to consider such properties. Although 65% saw client concerns as primarily aesthetic, 30% felt health concerns played a role. Only 20% saw mandatory disclosure of tobacco use history as negative, with 27% viewing this as positive, and 53% predicting mixed impact. Conclusions: In-home smoking negatively impacts realtors. Tobacco control should consider disclosure as one policy strategy. Advocates and realtors should help sellers establish smoke-free properties and address tobacco-related residue, with long-term goals of maintaining smoke-free homes to support cessation.