TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- As "For Sale" signs dot yards throughout Florida, plummeting sales and home prices and soaring foreclosures signal that the housing crisis continues to deepen. When the real estate market is competitive, a home with a pungent odor such as cigarettes can make or break the deal. According to a 2008 Home Features Survey done by Zip Realty, 76% of respondents say that bad odors, such as cigarette smoke, would sway their decision against purchasing a home. Tobacco Free Florida wants to help Floridians maintain their edge in a competitive market and live healthier lives.

The stale, lingering odor of cigarette smoke seeps into and sticks on furniture, carpets, walls, curtains and just about every surface it comes in contact with. Household cleaners alone won't get the job done, therefore professionals need to be hired to deep clean the stubborn odors and remove stains. Smokers incur extra costs when selling a house that non-smokers do not. Homes may require new paint and professional carpet and drapery cleaning. For an average sized home this could run a homeowner approximately $3,000 in additional expenses.

Think smoking outside is the answer? "It is not," says Kim Berfield, Deputy Secretary of the Florida Department of Health. "Smoking outside helps reduce tobacco odor, but does not eliminate it. Clothes absorb the smell, dragging it back into the home and undoubtedly finding its way to closets and drawers. Quitting smoking is the only way to completely rid a home of the smell."

In addition to the effect that cigarette smoke can have to a home's interior, smoking inside puts others at risk of the dangers of second-hand smoke. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke and there is no ventilation (i.e., an open window) that can eliminate the exposure.

"Secondhand smoke is a significant health issue for Floridians," says Berfield. "Approximately 11 million youth age 12-18 live in a household with at least one smoker, and over 6 million are exposed to second hand smoke daily. Smoking inside the home puts others at an increased risk for respiratory illness, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease."

Tobacco Free Florida is stressing to Floridians that the decision to quit smoking is the only way to ensure a home will not be overlooked due to an odor and will play a major part in turning "For Sale" signs on front lawns into "Sold" signs. Free cessation assistance is provided by calling the Quitline at 1-877-U-CAN-NOW (1-877-822-6669). Bilingual counselors who are specially trained to help tobacco users quit are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Additional cessation resources such as Qwitter, an online social networking platform for smokers to track their quitting progress with the support of friends and family, are available at www.tobaccofreeflorida.com.

SOURCE Tobacco Free Florida