DeKALB – The DeKalb County Housing Authority board approved a smoke-free policy for all properties beginning June 1, 2014, to create healthier living conditions.

Michelle Perkins, the housing authority's executive director, said there currently is no way to prevent secondhand smoke exposure for residents who live in the same units as smokers. Some buildings have several units sharing the same ventilation system.

But the new policy would help reduce health risks among nonsmokers. It will affect not only housing authority residents, but guests and employees as well.