Tedford Housing, based in Brunswick, will implement a smoke-free building policy this fall. Tedford operates two homeless shelters and 21 units of permanent housing for formerly homeless adults and families in Brunswick, Bath and Augusta.

"This was a difficult but important step for us," Don Kniseley, Tedford's executive director, said in a statement. "We recognize that a majority of our tenants, most of whom have a disability, smoke and are addicted to tobacco, but we felt it is important to send a message about the harmful effects of tobacco."

Tedford previously allowed tenants to smoke in apartments subject to standard rental leases.

The Tedford Housing board of directors approved the new policy in a unanimous vote in July.

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