New York State Clean Indoor Air Act 

Since 2003, public places and workplaces across NYS (including bars, restaurants, etc.,) have been smoke-free indoors. In 2017, it was strengthened to prohibit the use of e-cigarettes and vaping products. These clean indoor air laws effectively protect workers from secondhand smoke and contribute to lower smoking rates and reduced maintenance costs for employers.

Learn more about NYS’s Clean Indoor Air Act go here. 

  • The Clean Indoor Air Act was amended in 2021 to include prohibiting cannabis smoking and vaping in all locations in which smoking and vaping tobacco products are currently prohibited. 
  • Employers that create comprehensive worksite wellness policies that extend tobacco-free policies to the outdoors are becoming more common. 

Why Make Worksite Grounds Tobacco and Vape-Free?

Protecting Health and Safety 

Tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable disease, killing nearly 28,000 New Yorkers every year. Comprehensive policies are the best way to protect both your employees and visitors. 

The Danger of Secondhand Smoke

The U.S. Surgeon General has concluded there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. 

Secondhand Smoke (SHS) contains over 7,000 chemicals (including arsenic, benzene, and formaldehyde) including about 70 that can cause cancer. 

Even brief SHS exposure can increase the severity of asthma attacks and raise the risk of lung cancer for nonsmoking adults by 20%–30%. 

The Risk of E-Cigarette Aerosol 

Electronic cigarettes produce an aerosol by heating a liquid, which bystanders involuntarily inhale.

This aerosol contains harmful substances including: 

  • Nicotine and ultrafine particles. 
  • Flavorings such as diacetyl  
  • Benzene 
  • Heavy metals (such as nickel, tin, and lead). 

Save Money, Increase Productivity 

Many employers find that implementing a tobacco/vape-free policy has multiple benefits:

  • increased productivity
  • lower absenteeism
  • reduced maintenance costs
  • improved company image

Cleaner Property 

Tobacco-free properties are cleaner, reducing maintenance costs and eliminating visible tobacco litter. Policies prohibiting tobacco use on worksite grounds have proven effective at changing smoking behavior and supporting employees trying to quit.  

The Tobacco Action Coalition of LI is available to:  

  • Provide technical assistance with policy development 
  • Presentations  
  • Sample policies 
  • Assist in planning a launch event and press release 
  • Assist in accessing cessation information 
  • Provide free signage (when available)