Working to make NY a healthier place to live, work and play!

Entryway Smoking Bans

Businesses and Municipalities are developing outdoor smoking policies because there is both scientific and legal justification to support implementing bans:

  • - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified secondhand smoke as a
       Class A Carcinogen placing it in the same category as radon, benzene, and asbestos.

  • - Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 substances, over 40 of which are known
       to cause cancer in humans and many of which are strong irritants.

  • - The Surgeon General has declared that there is no safe level of secondhand smoke.

  • - United States Courts have declared that there is no legal "right to smoke" and smoking
       is not a protected activity under the U.S. Constitution.

People should not be forced to walk through a wall of smoke when entering public buildings. It can trigger allergies, asthma attacks and other breathing problems. Community Partnerships are working with businesses and municipalities to create more entryway smoking bans.

Counties with Entryway Bans

Contact your local Community Partnership for more information or technical assistance in creating entryway smoking bans.

Learn more by clicking on the documents and links below:

2006 Surgeon General's Report:
Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke

Executive Summary
- 6 Major Conclusions of the Surgeon General Report
- There is No Risk-Free Level of Exposure to Secondhand Smoke
- Secondhand Smoke Is Toxic and Poisonous

http://www.health.state.ny.us/prevention/tobacco_control/second/second.htm
www.cdc.gov/tobacco
www.no-smoke.org
www.epa.gov/smokefree