June 28, 2002—Health organizations and tobacco companies are battling in New York over legislation that could restrict smoking in public places under the assertion that secondhand smoke is harmful to non-smokers.
The legislation (S. 4989), which would strengthen the state Clean Indoor Air Act, would primarily affect restaurants and workplaces. The New York State Assembly passed two bills at the end of May and companion bills are now before the State Senate.
According to information published by the American Cancer Society, one in five adult New Yorkers smoke.
If the bill passes, smoking may take place only in a separately ventilated dining room or, if a restaurant has a bar, at the bar and an area around it physically separated from the dining area. An amendment would permit smoking in places of employment only in a separately ventilated smoking break room, provided at the employer’s discretion.
For information about the campaign to pass the legislation, contact the Center for a Tobacco Free New York at 800/LUNG-USA.
