Recreation Areas
Parks, playgrounds, beaches and other recreational areas should be places that people can go to enjoy the outdoors, breathe fresh air and exercise. They should not be exposed to secondhand smoke or vapor. Another public health concern is tobacco litter which is hazardous to children and wildlife. More than 500 municipalities in NYS have made outdoor recreation areas tobacco- and vape-free.
TACLI is educating local municipalities about the benefits of adopting tobacco use regulations and available to provide free technical assistance to create policies and signage to support with implementation of policies.
Colleges
TACLI is working with local colleges to create tobacco grounds policies to protect the health of students and faculty, as well as, the campus environment.
New York Public Health Law
- NYS Public Health Law 1399-O-1 prohibits smoking and vaping of tobacco products between sunrise and sunset at all playgrounds in New York when one or more children under age 12 are present. The law also mandates prominent signage to ensure compliance.
- New York Public Health Law Section 1399-O-2 prohibits smoking of tobacco and cannabis in state-owned parks and parks managed by local governments effective October 13, 2022.
