The U.S. Housing and Urban Development says starting July 31st, smoking will no longer be allowed in public housing nationwide. This ban was announced in November 2016 but public housing agencies were given until July 31 to abide by the new rule. No smoking will be allowed within 25 feet of any public housing or inside any building. HUD said the smoke-free rule will help reduce damage tied to smoking as well as lower the risk of accidental fires.