Event Marks 10th Anniversary of Protecting Workers and Challenges New Yorkers to Protect Kids
(Farmingdale, NY) New Yorkers gathered at events around the state today to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of New York State’s expanded Clean Indoor Air Act, the historic legislation that protects workers from secondhand smoke and helps reduce smoking rates. Senator Charles Fuschillo, who authored the law, joined the Tobacco Action Coalition and American Lung Association in celebrating this public health success at Spartan Towers Diner in Farmingdale.
The state law, which went into effect on July 24, 2003, banned smoking in almost all workplaces including bars, restaurants, bowling facilities, bingo halls and company vehicles protecting millions of New Yorkers from daily exposure to deadly secondhand smoke and the illnesses it causes. New York was the second state to pass a comprehensive clean indoor air law after Delaware. There are now 35 states with similar laws.
“New York State’s expanded Clean Indoor Air Act was enacted to save lives and protect individuals from the dangers of secondhand smoke. As we have seen over the last 10 years, the law is working. Public health has improved, public support for the law continues to be strong, and New Yorkers are safer from the harmful effects of secondhand-smoke,” said Senator Fuschillo.
This law was a major victory for those working in the hospitality industry who were sometimes faced with deciding between a paycheck and their health. Secondhand smoke exposure has been reduced improving public health while the hospitality industry has flourished.
“I support the law, it has been better for my employees’ health and protects all our patrons from having to breathe secondhand smoke while enjoying their meal,” said Manny Arholekas, one of the owners of Spartan Towers Diner.
The NYSDOH Bureau of Tobacco Control released a report highlighting data on compliance, support, and the health impacts. Compliance rates are 100% for restaurants and 99.4% for bars. Public support is strong and has grown significantly among smokers and non-smokers. Rates of hospitalizations for heart attacks decreased by 15% in the first 3½ years after the law took effect resulting in lives saved and millions of healthcare cost savings. The full report is available on NYSDOH’s website.
“As we celebrate 10 years of New York’s landmark Clean Indoor Air Act, let’s remember the countless lives we have saved, the lung disease we have prevented and the New Yorkers who have enjoyed longer, healthier lives because of it,” said Jeff Seyler, President & CEO of the American Lung Association of the Northeast. “New York State has a history of leading efforts that promote public health and we look forward to working together to ensure that New York’s leaders continue to implement policies and dedicate the resources necessary to reduce the toll that tobacco takes on New Yorkers.”
Despite the success of this law and the countless lives that have been saved, smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and kills more than 25,000 New Yorkers every year. In addition, the U.S. Surgeon General characterizes youth smoking as a pediatric epidemic and states that the evidence is clear that tobacco marketing causes youth to start smoking, and most start before they reach the age of 18.
“I look at the children here today and am struck by the fact that they have never seen smoking in a restaurant, bowling alley or taxi,” said Susan Kennedy, Director of the Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island. “This social norm change has contributed to reduced smoking rates among teenagers but we need to do more. Protecting youth from seeing tobacco marketing in stores should be a top priority.”
For more information about ongoing efforts to reduce smoking and protect kids from tobacco marketing, visit www.TobaccoFreeNYS.org
Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island (TAC) is a community partnership of the New York State Tobacco Control Program funded through a grant to the American Lung Association of the Northeast. TAC educates the community about the dangers and social costs of tobacco use and works to establish local tobacco control policies. To learn more about TAC visit www.BreatheFreely.org
About the American Lung Association of the Northeast
The American Lung Association of the Northeast is part of the American Lung Association, the oldest voluntary health organization in the U.S. Established in 1904 to combat tuberculosis; our mission today is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. The focus is on air quality, asthma, tobacco control, and all lung disease. The American Lung Association in the Northeast serves CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI and VT. www.LungNE.org
