Entryways and Outdoor Spaces

Over 40 of which are known to cause cancer 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 their place of work and other public buildings. It can trigger allergies, asthma attacks and other breathing problems. Advancing Tobacco Free Communities are working with businesses to create more entryway and workplace smoking policies. Currently over 460 businesses in New York State have passed regulations restricting tobacco use in outdoor recreational areas

Entryway & Grounds Smoking Policies

New York State Clean Indoor Air Act

Public places and work places across New York State, including bars and restaurants, have been smokefree indoors since 2003. In 2017, the law was expanded to also prohibit the use of e-cigarettes. Clean indoor air laws are not only effective in protecting workers from secondhand smoke exposure, but also reduce overall smoking rates and employer maintenance costs. Learn more about NY’s Clean Indoor Air Act here.

Employers can do even more to protect their employees!
It’s no secret why worksites that extend tobacco-free policies to their outdoor property are becoming the norm. Benefits include:

  • Protecting employees, visitors and clients from the harmful and damaging effects of secondhand smoke exposure.
  • Creating an environment that supports tobacco-free choices.  
  • Lowering absenteeism and increasing worker productivity.
  • Reducing maintenance costs by eliminating tobacco product litter and fire hazards.
  • Increasing curb appeal and reducing loitering.
  • Being responsive to the majority of New Yorkers who notice and appreciate the improvements of tobacco-free environments.

Certain employers have the most to gain

Across the state, community partners have supported hundreds of organizations and businesses in achieving their tobacco-free goals, including many here in the Capital District. All employers that make their property tobacco-free will reap the benefits, but certain employers may have the most to gain. 

  • Businesses that have the highest rates of tobacco-using employees, such as those in the food service, construction and transportation industries.
  • Community-based agencies providing services to populations that are disproportionately impacted by tobacco use, including people with low-socioeconomic status, people with behavioral health issues, and members of the LGBTQ community. 
  • Businesses that provide family- and youth-friendly services.
  • Municipalities because they have a special responsibility to make public services and programs accessible to all members of the community, including those with health conditions that can be exacerbated by exposure to secondhand smoke and e-cigarette emissions.

Learn more:
Good Health is Good Business: A Tobacco-Free Workplace Policy Guide
The Workplace Policy Guide provides excellent guidance for transitioning to a tobacco-free workplace and we’re here to help you customize that guidance to your particular needs. 

Take the first step, Contact Us.

How we can help:
-Telephone, email, or in-person technical assistance, including presentations or information sessions.
-Sample policies, sample employee outreach materials, FAQs, and timelines.
-Assistance in identifying and accessing local cessation services for your employees. No-cost tobacco-free signage for your property.

Other New York State Initiatives

Reality Check is a youth led movement in New York State that empowers youth to become leaders in their communities in exposing what they see as the manipulative and deceptive marketing tactics of the tobacco industry. The organization’s members produce change in their communities through grassroots mobilization and education.  
RealityCheckofNY.com

Health Systems for a Tobacco-Free New York provides New York’s healthcare community with evidence-based education, training, and resources. This helps to treat their tobacco-dependent patients and help them quit smoking successfully. TalkToYourPatients.org

New York State Smokers’ Quit Line is free and confidential service. They provide services to New York State residents who want to stop tobacco use. This includes, motivational coaching, free nicotine patches, an online smoke-free community, educational fact sheets, materials and videos. Additional educational tools and cessation resources are available. Mainly to healthcare providers, employers, educators, and others. In addition, this also includes a referral program for tobacco users.
NYSmokeFree.com

Policy Resources

No-Smoke.org
Secondhand Smoke Article
TobaccoFreeKids.org
List of Policies for Tobacco-Free Parks & Recreation Areas
Workplace Policy Guide