Prohibits smoking within 100 feet of the entrances or exits of any public library

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to prohibiting smoking within 100 feet of the entrances or exits of any public or association library

Purpose

To prohibit smoking within one hundred feet of entrances or exits of any public library.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends Section 1399-0 of the public health law is amended by adding in new subdivision 5 to read as follows:

5. Smoking shall not be permitted and no person shall smoke within one hundred feet of the entrances, exits or outdoor areas of any public or association library as defined in subdivision two of section two hundred fifty-three of the education law; provided, however, that the provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to smoking in a residence, or within the real property boundary lines of such residential rea property. The provisions of section thirteen hundred ninety-nine-p of this article shall not apply to this subdivision.

Section 2 This act shall take effect immediately.

Justification

This bill seeks to chapter 449 of the of any entrance or schools. This bill expand protections to the public health created by laws of 2012 which prohibited smoking within 100 feet exit of public or private elementary, or secondary would expand these protections by placing the same ban on all public libraries.

The Clean Indoor Air Act, enacted in 2003, banned smoking in all workplaces across the State. Since 2003, smokers have been forced to smoke outside and it has been unfortunate to see many smokers consistently light up within close proximity to the entrances or exits of buildings, including libraries. This bill would prohibit individuals from smoking outside the entrances and exits of all public libraries. This bill seeks to move smokers away from the doorways of libraries, in order to protect all visitors who wish to enter and exit these institutions from unwanted exposure to secondhand smoke. Libraries are a place where children and others are encouraged to visit often, and as such smoking shouldn't occur within 100 feet of the entrances or exits.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, secondhand smoke exposure causes acute lower respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia in young children, who visit and benefit greatly from libraries. Along with respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and breathlessness among school-aged children and young adults, even brief secondhand smoke exposure can damage cells in ways that set the cancer process in motion. This legislation will add to the growing number of places young children and all New Yorkers can enjoy without being exposed to second hand smoke.

Legislative history

This is a new bill.

Fiscal implications

None to the State.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.