MUH Observation Guidelines

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Safety always comes first

CTCP created this safety tip sheet for all data collectors working on this project.  If you are approached, there is a script for introducing yourself at an MUH and letter you can use to help explain what you're doing.  Ask your LLA for the letter you can use.

Recommendations Before Going Out into the Field

Ideally, observations should be conducted before an MUH is cleaned.  You may want to contact the property managers to find out the cleaning schedule of the MUH locations in your sample.  

Use online maps or ask the property manager to give you an idea of the MUH property make up, scope out general locations of the amenities, choose a good place to safely access the MUH, or determine best parking situation to especially for large complexes.

TPW

TPW is short for tobacco product waste.  You will see this term throughout the MUH observation survey.  Please see Setting up the observation area for more details and instructions

Selecting amenities to observe

There are several amenities for you to visit to complete the observation.  If there are multiple places of the same amenity, select the amenity that is most likely to have TPW.  Spend no more than 1-2 minutes searching for the amenity.  You may want to find a site map or do an online search to get a general layout of the MUH property.

The survey will prompt you to go to different amenities and ask if you are able to access the amenity for observation.  There are three answer options:

  • Yes, the amenity is there, and I can observe it
    • Select this option if the MUH has the amenity, and you can observe it.
  • Yes, there are other amenities, but I cannot observe it.  Explain why not: __________[skip to next amenity]
    • Select this option if you cannot observe it, then enter the reason why you cannot observe it.  Common reasons include construction, maintenance, or wanting to be respectful of other people there.  If there are others present, you have the option to introduce yourself and proceed with the observation.  However, you you do not feel safe to do the observation while others are present, then select this option and explain that you want to be respectful of other people there.
  • No, the amenity is not there [skip to next amenity]
    • Select this option of the MUH does not have the amenity.  The survey will prompt you to move on to the next amenity.

Amenity definitions and examples

Swimming pool: An outdoor structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing, including in-ground and above-ground structures, and includes hot tubs, spas, portable spas, and non-portable wading pools.

outdoor pool at an apartment complex
outdoor pool at an apartment complex

Outdoor walkway:  Pathways made to direct foot traffic throughout an apartment. They can provide a pathway to a pool, an outdoor garden, bench in the yard, or other common locations in the apartment.

outdoor walkway at an apartment complex with plants along the path
outdoor walkway at an apartment complex with flowers on the sides
outdoor walkway at an apartment complex

Outdoor stairway:  Steps to walk to go up or down a level.  One or more flights of stairs usually with landings to pass from one level to another.  Only visit outdoor stairways NOT indoor stairs.

outdoor stairway at an apartment complex
outdoor stairway at an apartment complex

Play area/playground: Area with playground equipment, such as slides, play structure, and/or swings

Playground at an apartment complex

Outdoor mailbox area

Do NOT observe indoor mailbox areas.  A mailbox is a private box into which mail is delivered.  An outdoor mailbox area may be found near the front, by the leasing office or clubhouse, or near the entrance of an apartment.

outdoor mailbox area at an apartment complex
outdoor mailbox area at an apartment complex

Parking Lot: Parking lots should be within the MUH property boundaries.  Do NOT count street parking as a parking lot.

parking lot at an apartment complex
parking lot at an apartment complex

Amenity of your choice: Includes any outside space to visit.  The amenity of your choice should be a place that is likely to have TPW.  This could be an open grassy space, an area near the entrance area, outside of the leasing office, an outdoor gathering area with tables or BBQ grills, it could be an amenity you already visit, but just another part of that amenity, or if there were two of the same amenity like 2 stairways with lots of TPW, this could be stairway #2.

outdoor bbq and picnic tables at an apartment complex
outdoor grassy area at an apartment complex

Signage and ashtray definitions and examples

No Smoking or Vaping: Signs with no smoking or vaping may use symbols (e.g., cigarette with a slash through it) or be written to say no smoking or vaping.

sign with symbols and words that convey, "no smoking or vaping"
sign that says "for the sake of our kids" and symbols showing no smoking, no vaping, no marijuana use
sign with a silhouette of a child on a swing and the words, "for the sake of our kids no tobacco, e-cigarettes, or marijuana allowed"

 

sign on a window with symbols and words to say, "no smoking, no vaping"

Designated smoking/vaping area: Any sign that shows where smoking and/or vaping are allowed.

sign at a park that reads, "designated smoking area"
outdoor seating next to a sign that indicates it is a designated smoking area
red sign to indicate this outdoor area is a designated smoking area

Ashtrays: These should be clearly used to deposit cigarette butts. They can be connected to a trashcan or standalone.  A smoker’s post is typically a metal or plastic tube where people deposit their lit cigarettes and they are extinguished at the bottom of the pole in a larger receptacle that cannot be easily accessed. Do not count general trash cans used for everyday trash.

ashtray on top of a garbage can
ashtray close up
ashtray next to a bench

 

Setting Up the Observation Area

Questions that ask you to count the number of pieces of tobacco product waste should be done in an area that is at least 100 sq ft.  

To set up the observation area, scan around the amenity that appears to have the most tobacco product waste. Spend no more than a few minutes to select an area for observation.

Using a tape measure or the strides method, identify a 100 sq ft area that includes some tobacco product waste.  The easiest way to do this is to create a square that is 10 ft wide and 10 ft long. Then count the number of pieces of tobacco product waste in that square area.  

For the next questions about signs, ashtrays, and exposure to smoke, stay in this 100 sq ft area and look for signs or ashtrays from that area.  The signs or potential exposure do not need to occur within the observation area, but ideally you will physically stay within the observation area.  If you need to take a step or two out, that's fine.  The intent is that you do not need to walk around the entire amenity. 

The strides method is illustrated below.  To measure the data collector's 10 ft stride length, count the number of steps it takes to cover 10 ft.  In this example, it takes a little more than 5 steps to cover 10 ft.

Example of how to measure a 100 sq ft area

 

Exposure to active smoking 

In each amenity, you will be asked to count how many times you saw or smelled tobacco smoke, tobacco vapor, marijuana smoke, or marijuana vapor during your observation in the 100 sq ft area.  The potential exposure does not need to occur within the observation area, but ideally you will physically stay within the observation area.  If you need to take a step or two out, that's fine.  The intent is that you do not need to walk around the entire amenity. 

The purpose of this question is to capture how many times you were exposed to tobacco or marijuana smoke or vapor.  Because of this, you might count the same person or people in multiple amenities, because exposure happened in multiple amenities.

  • An individual smoking or vaping by themselves counts as 1
  • A group of people smoking or vaping counts as 1
  • A group and an individual separately smoking or vaping counts  as 2
  • If you see the same person/group smoking or vaping later in the observation at a different amenity, you will also capture that exposure (i.e., double count).

Do not count people smoking or vaping in their vehicles or INSIDE their homes.  This question is about outdoor second-hand smoke exposure.

If there was an exposure, then a follow up question will ask if the people were smoking or vaping where they could be seen by other people.  The purpose of this question is to see if others (besides you), were also exposed.  Sometimes people assume it is ok to use tobacco or marijuana if they see others using.  It can also be a trigger when seeing others use tobacco or marijuana, too.

 

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