Ten years ago, the New York State Clean Indoor Air Act was signed into law. This monumental legislation outlawed smoking in bars, restaurants and many other public facilities, ensuring patrons and employees would no longer be subjected to the dangers of secondhand smoke.

Since its enactment, New Yorkers have seen the benefits of this vital law. Studies by the New York State Department of Health (DOH) show that over the last 10 years exposure to secondhand smoke by young people attending middle school and high school has dropped by one-third. In addition to these findings, the DOH noted that hospitalizations for heart attacks decreased by 8 percent in just the first year of the law, representing a savings of $56 million in health care costs for New Yorkers.¹

Before the Clean Indoor Air Act was enacted, many were concerned about the effects the legislation would have on businesses, such as restaurants and bars, and whether they would even comply with the law. But today, studies show that compliance has been virtually universal. Prior to 2003, less than 50 percent of New York’s restaurants and just 11 percent of bars were smoke-free. Today, all of New York’s restaurants and over 99 percent of bars show no signs of smoking.²

While the Clean Indoor Air Act has been a success, more protections are needed. That’s why I sponsored a new law that further protects children from secondhand smoke by making it illegal to smoke on playgrounds between sunrise and sunset where children under the age of 12 are present (Ch. 102 of 2013). The law, which takes effect this month, ensures that children will be less vulnerable to the risks of being exposed to secondhand smoke.

The threat to children’s health is real. Secondhand smoke puts children at risk of severe respiratory diseases and often hinders the growth of their lungs. Exposure to secondhand smoke also increases the risk of lower respiratory tract infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, and impairs a child’s ability to learn. I’ll continue looking for effective ways to keep children away from secondhand smoke, which contains 40 substances that are known to cause cancer.³

For more information on protecting children from secondhand smoke, you can visit the DOH at health.ny.gov/prevention/tobacco_control.

1. health.ny.gov/prevention/tobacco_control/docs/leading_the_way_2010-2013.pdf

2. health.ny.gov/prevention/tobacco_control/reports/statshots/volume6/ciaa_2013_10_year_report.pdf

3. health.ny.gov/publications/3432