Click here for the MUH Observation Training
1. What is the MUH ID? - CAREFULLY enter the MUH ID
Enter the 7-digit MUH ID number provided with the list of MUH for your route. IMPORTANT: Check to make sure you entered the 7 digits correctly.
2. What is your Coder ID?
Enter the 2-digit code assigned to you by your Lead Contact.
3. Does the actual MUH name match the assigned name?
- Yes
- No - Enter correct name
Verify that the name of the MUH matches what is on your route list under the column labeled, "Neighborhood." If it does not, select No, and make the correction in the text field. Only enter the name of the MUH if there is a sign with a name on it. If there is no sign at the MUH and/or no name listed on the Neighborhood column, then select Yes.
4. Does the actual MUH address match the assigned address?
- Yes
- No - Enter correct address
Verify that the address of the MUH matches what is on your route list. If it does not, select No, and make the correction in the text field. Only enter the street number and name based on a sign. If there is no sign with the address, then select Yes.
5. Are you able to access the MUH property for observation?
- Yes
- No, I was asked to leave by a resident
- No, I was asked to leave by the property manager
- No, I did not feel safe
- Other (specify)
6. Are there residential and non-residential spaces under the same roof (mixed-use)?
- Yes
- No
Examples of mixed-use include restaurants, retailers, gyms, offices, or other spaces that are used for commercial purposes.
7. Describe where you entered the complex (e.g., main entrance, side gate on J Street)
Sometimes a complex may not have an official entrance. Other times a complex may have multiple points of entry, especially if it is several blocks long. Enter the approximate location of where you entered the complex. You can also include landmarks here (“near the leasing office on 2nd Street or the gates closest to the high school next door”).
What are the current weather conditions?
8. What is the current cloud coverage?
- Sunny
- Partly sunny/cloudy
- Cloudy
Select Sunny if there are no clouds in the sky. Select Partly sunny/cloudy if there are clouds in the sky. Select Cloudy if the sky is fully overcast. Alternatively, you can use the weather condition listed on your device.
9. What is the current precipitation?
- Light rain/drizzle
- Fog/dew
- None
Select Light rain if the rain is light enough not to be bothersome or cause you to leave the park. (For weather heavier than light rain, the MUH should be observed on a different day). Select Fog/dew if there is are low-lying clouds of water droplets. Select None if there is no precipitation.
10. What are the current air conditions?
- Windy
- Light breeze
- None
Select Windy if the air movement is slightly bothersome. (For stronger air conditions, the MUH should be observed on a different day.) Select Light breeze if the air movement is gentle. Select None if the air is still and there is no wind.
11. What is the current temperature? __________ °F
Before going out, you can look up the temperature and use that for all your observations for the day. Otherwise, you can use your device's weather app to enter the temperature. Use whole numbers, no decimals. Make sure to enter the temperature in Fahrenheit (°F).
GO TO THE SWIMMING POOL. If there are multiple pool areas, select the one most likely to have TPW.
Locate the busiest, largest, or most central pool as the one more likely to have TPW. You may find a pool right behind the club house, or at the center of the apartment complex or at the far end of the complex.
12. Are you able to access at least one swimming pool for observation?
- Yes, there is a pool, and I can observe it
- Yes, there is a pool, but I cannot observe it. Explain why not: __________[skip to next amenity]
- No, there is not a pool [skip to next amenity]
Click here for tips on how to select the amenities to observe. Spend no more than 1-2 minutes searching for the amenity.
Set up the observation area. Scan the area around the pool that appears to have the most tobacco product waste. Following your training instructions, set up the observation area. Aim for 100 sq ft using a tape measure or strides method.
13. How many pieces of TPW are in the observation area?
Count the number of pieces of TPW in the observation area, and enter that number in the box.
For the next set of questions, stay in the 10x10ft observation area. You do not need to walk around the entire amenity.
14. Is there a, “No smoking/No vaping,” sign nearby?
- Yes
- No
The sign can contain words and/or symbols to indicate that smoking, vaping, tobacco, and/or marijuana is not allowed. Click here for examples of signage.
15. Is there a “Designated smoking/vaping area” sign nearby?
- Yes
- No
The sign can contain words and/or symbols to indicate that there is a designated smoking area.
16. Is there a communal ashtray (on top of a trashcan or standalone) nearby?
- Yes
- No
Ashtrays are clearly used to deposit cigarette butts and sometimes contain sand. They can be connected to a trashcan or standalone. Do NOT count general trash cans used for everyday trash. If you are in doubt that a trashcan has an ashtray, select No.
17. During your observation, how many times did you see or smell tobacco or marijuana smoke or vapor?
- 0 (skip next question)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5 or more
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. You do not need to walk around the entire amenity. Click here for guidance for counting exposure.
18. Were any of the people smoking or vaping where they could be seen by other people?
- Yes
- No
If you saw or smelled someone using tobacco or marijuana, you will be asked to look if there are other people around that could also be exposed. Click here for guidance for counting exposure.
GO TO THE OUTDOOR WALKWAY. If there are multiple walkway areas, select one most likely to have TPW.
19. Are you able to access at least one outdoor walkway for observation?
- Yes, there is an outdoor walkway, and I can observe it
- Yes, there is an outdoor walkway, but I cannot observe it. Explain why not: __________[skip to next amenity]
- No, there is not an outdoor walkway [skip to next amenity]
Click here for tips on how to select the amenities to observe. Spend no more than 1-2 minutes searching for the amenity.
Set Up the observation area. Scan the area around the outdoor walkway that appears to have the most tobacco product waste. Following your training instructions, set up the observation area. Aim for 100 sq ft using a tape measure or strides method.
20. How many pieces of TPW are in the observation area?
Count the number of pieces of TPW in the observation area, and enter that number in the box.
For the next set of questions, stay in the 10x10ft observation area. You do not need to walk around the entire amenity.
21. Is there a, “No smoking/No vaping,” sign nearby?
- Yes
- No
The sign can contain words and/or symbols to indicate that smoking, vaping, tobacco, and/or marijuana is not allowed. Click here for examples of signage.
22. Is there a “Designated smoking/vaping area” sign nearby?
- Yes
- No
The sign can contain words and/or symbols to indicate that there is a designated smoking area.
23. Is there a communal ashtray (on top of a trashcan or standalone) nearby?
- Yes
- No
Ashtrays are clearly used to deposit cigarette butts and sometimes contain sand. They can be connected to a trashcan or standalone. Do NOT count general trash cans used for everyday trash. If you are in doubt that a trashcan has an ashtray, select No.
24. During your observation, how many times did you see or smell tobacco or marijuana smoke or vapor?
- 0 (skip next question)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5 or more
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. You do not need to walk around the entire amenity. Click here for guidance for counting exposure.
25. Were any of the people smoking or vaping where they could be seen by other people?
- Yes
- No
If you saw or smelled someone using tobacco or marijuana, you will be asked to look if there are other people around that could also be exposed. Click here for guidance for counting exposure.
GO TO THE OUTDOOR STAIRWAY. If there are multiple stairways, select one most likely to have TPW.
26. Are you able to access at least one outside stairway for observation?
- Yes, there is an outside stairway, and I can observe it
- Yes, there is an outside stairway, but I cannot observe it. Explain why not: __________[skip to next amenity]
- No, there is not an outdoor stairway [skip to next amenity]
Click here for tips on how to select the amenities to observe. Spend no more than 1-2 minutes searching for the amenity.
Set up the observation area. Scan the area around the outdoor stairway that appears to have the most tobacco product waste. Following your training instructions, set up the observation area. Aim for 100 sq ft using a tape measure or strides method.
27. How many pieces of TPW are in the observation area?
Count the number of pieces of TPW in the observation area, and enter that number in the box.
For the next set of questions, stay in the 10x10ft observation area. You do not need to walk around the entire amenity.
28. Is there a, “No smoking/No vaping,” sign nearby?
- Yes
- No
The sign can contain words and/or symbols to indicate that smoking, vaping, tobacco, and/or marijuana is not allowed. Click here for examples of signage.
29. Is there a “Designated smoking/vaping area” sign nearby?
- Yes
- No
The sign can contain words and/or symbols to indicate that there is a designated smoking area.
30. Is there a communal ashtray (on top of a trashcan or standalone) nearby?
- Yes
- No
Ashtrays are clearly used to deposit cigarette butts and sometimes contain sand. They can be connected to a trashcan or standalone. Do NOT count general trash cans used for everyday trash. If you are in doubt that a trashcan has an ashtray, select No.
31. During your observation, how many times did you see or smell tobacco or marijuana smoke or vapor?
- 0 (skip next question)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5 or more
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. You do not need to walk around the entire amenity. Click here for guidance for counting exposure.
32. Were any of the people smoking or vaping where they could be seen by other people?
- Yes
- No
If you saw or smelled someone using tobacco or marijuana, you will be asked to look if there are other people around that could also be exposed. Click here for guidance for counting exposure.
33. Are you able to access at least one play area/playground for observation?
- Yes, there is a play area/playground and I can observe it
- Yes, there is a play area/playground but I cannot observe it. Explain why not: __________[skip to next amenity]
- No, there is not a play area/playground [skip to the next amenity]
Click here for tips on how to select the amenities to observe. Spend no more than 1-2 minutes searching for the amenity.
GO TO THE PLAY AREA/PLAYGROUND. Scan the area around the playground that appears to have the most tobacco product waste. Following your training instructions, set up the observation area. Aim for 100 sq ft using a tape measure or strides method.
34. How many pieces of TPW are in the observation area?
Count the number of pieces of TPW in the observation area, and enter that number in the box.
For the next set of questions, stay in the 10x10ft observation area. You do not need to walk around the entire amenity.
35. Is there a, “No smoking/No vaping,” sign nearby?
- Yes
- No
The sign can contain words and/or symbols to indicate that smoking, vaping, tobacco, and/or marijuana is not allowed. Click here for examples of signage.
36. Is there a “Designated smoking/vaping area” sign nearby?
- Yes
- No
The sign can contain words and/or symbols to indicate that there is a designated smoking area.
37. Is there a communal ashtray (on top of a trashcan or standalone) nearby?
- Yes
- No
Ashtrays are clearly used to deposit cigarette butts and sometimes contain sand. They can be connected to a trashcan or standalone. Do NOT count general trash cans used for everyday trash. If you are in doubt that a trashcan has an ashtray, select No.
38. During your observation, how many times did you see or smell tobacco or marijuana smoke or vapor?
- 0 (skip next question)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5 or more
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. You do not need to walk around the entire amenity. Click here for guidance for counting exposure.
39. Were any of the people smoking or vaping where they could be seen by other people?
- Yes
- No
If you saw or smelled someone using tobacco or marijuana, you will be asked to look if there are other people around that could also be exposed. Click here for guidance for counting exposure.
40. Are you able to access at least one outdoor mailbox area for observation?
- Yes, there is an outdoor mailbox area, and I can observe it
- Yes, there is an outdoor mailbox area, but I cannot observe it. Explain why not: __________[skip to next amenity]
- No, there is not an outdoor mailbox area [skip to next amenity]
Click here for tips on how to select the amenities to observe. Spend no more than 1-2 minutes searching for the amenity.
GO TO THE OUTDOOR MAILBOX AREA. Scan the area around the outdoor mailbox that appears to have the most tobacco product waste. Following your training instructions, set up the observation area. Aim for 100 sq ft using a tape measure or strides method.
41. How many pieces of TPW are in the observation area?
Count the number of pieces of TPW in the observation area, and enter that number in the box.
For the next set of questions, stay in the 10x10ft observation area. You do not need to walk around the entire amenity.
42. Is there a, “No smoking/No vaping,” sign nearby?
- Yes
- No
The sign can contain words and/or symbols to indicate that smoking, vaping, tobacco, and/or marijuana is not allowed. Click here for examples of signage.
43. Is there a “Designated smoking/vaping area” sign nearby?
- Yes
- No
The sign can contain words and/or symbols to indicate that there is a designated smoking area.
44. Is there a communal ashtray (on top of a trashcan or standalone) nearby?
- Yes
- No
Ashtrays are clearly used to deposit cigarette butts and sometimes contain sand. They can be connected to a trashcan or standalone. Do NOT count general trash cans used for everyday trash. If you are in doubt that a trashcan has an ashtray, select No.
45. During your observation, how many times did you see or smell tobacco or marijuana smoke or vapor?
- 0 (skip next question)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5 or more
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. You do not need to walk around the entire amenity. Click here for guidance for counting exposure.
46. Were any of the people smoking or vaping where they could be seen by other people?
- Yes
- No
If you saw or smelled someone using tobacco or marijuana, you will be asked to look if there are other people around that could also be exposed. Click here for guidance for counting exposure.
47. Are you able to access another outdoor amenity? (e.g., clubhouse, bushes, outdoor community area, entrance area, another part of one of the previous amenities, etc.)
- Yes, I will conduct the observation in: describe amenity _________
- No [skip to next amenity]
GO TO THE AMENITY YOU WILL OBSERVE NEXT. Scan the area around the amenity that appears to have the most tobacco product waste. Following your training instructions, set up the observation area. Aim for 100 sq ft using a tape measure or strides method.
48. How many pieces of TPW are in the observation area?
Count the number of pieces of TPW in the observation area, and enter that number in the box.
For the next set of questions, stay in the 10x10ft observation area. You do not need to walk around the entire amenity.
49. Is there a, “No smoking/No vaping,” sign nearby?
- Yes
- No
The sign can contain words and/or symbols to indicate that smoking, vaping, tobacco, and/or marijuana is not allowed. Click here for examples of signage.
50. Is there a “Designated smoking/vaping area” sign nearby?
- Yes
- No
The sign can contain words and/or symbols to indicate that there is a designated smoking area.
51. Is there a communal ashtray (on top of a trashcan or standalone) nearby?
- Yes
- No
Ashtrays are clearly used to deposit cigarette butts and sometimes contain sand. They can be connected to a trashcan or standalone. Do NOT count general trash cans used for everyday trash. If you are in doubt that a trashcan has an ashtray, select No.
52. During your observation, how many times did you see or smell tobacco or marijuana smoke or vapor?
- 0 (skip next question)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5 or more
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. You do not need to walk around the entire amenity. Click here for guidance for counting exposure.
53. Were any of the people smoking or vaping where they could be seen by other people?
- Yes
- No
If you saw or smelled someone using tobacco or marijuana, you will be asked to look if there are other people around that could also be exposed. Click here for guidance for counting exposure.
54. Are you able to access at least one parking lot for observation?
- Yes, there is a parking lot, and I can observe it
- Yes, there is a parking lot, but I cannot observe it. Explain why not: __________[skip to next amenity]
- No, there is not a parking lot [skip to active smoking assessment]
Click here for tips on how to select the amenities to observe. Spend no more than 1-2 minutes searching for the amenity.
GO TO THE PARKING LOT. Scan the area around the parking lot that appears to have the most tobacco product waste. Following your training instructions, set up the observation area. Aim for 100 sq ft using a tape measure or strides method.
55. How many pieces of TPW are in the observation area?
Count the number of pieces of TPW in the observation area, and enter that number in the box.
56. What type of parking lot will be observed?
- Underground parking
- Covered parking inside the apartment complex
- Uncovered parking inside the apartment complex
- Street parking
- Other ___________
For the next set of questions, stay in the 10x10ft observation area. You do not need to walk around the entire amenity.
57. Is there a, “No smoking/No vaping,” sign nearby?
- Yes
- No
The sign can contain words and/or symbols to indicate that smoking, vaping, tobacco, and/or marijuana is not allowed. Click here for examples of signage.
58. Is there a “Designated smoking/vaping area” sign nearby?
- Yes
- No
The sign can contain words and/or symbols to indicate that there is a designated smoking area.
59. Is there a communal ashtray (on top of a trashcan or standalone) nearby?
- Yes
- No
Ashtrays are clearly used to deposit cigarette butts and sometimes contain sand. They can be connected to a trashcan or standalone. Do NOT count general trash cans used for everyday trash. If you are in doubt that a trashcan has an ashtray, select No.
60. During your observation, how many times did you see or smell tobacco or marijuana smoke or vapor nearby?
- 0 (skip next question)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5 or more
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. You do not need to walk around the entire amenity. Click here for guidance for counting exposure.
61. Were any of the people smoking or vaping where they could be seen by other people?
- Yes
- No
If you saw or smelled someone using tobacco or marijuana, you will be asked to look if there are other people around that could also be exposed. Click here for guidance for counting exposure.
62. Did you experience any issues during the observation? (Check all that apply)
- Area closed/under construction: Describe which amenity was closed/under constructions and how it affect the observation
- More activity due to holiday/school break
- Less activity due to holiday/school break
- Grounds cleaning
- Other __________
- None of the above
63. Comments:
This is an optional page to add any comments about this MUH observation.