What's happening
This bill repeals an exception and makes restaurant and bar patios in New York entirely smoke free.
Why it matters
Closes a significant loophole. By repealing the exception for restaurant and bar patios, the bill eliminates a gray area where secondhand smoke exposure was still possible, offering stronger protection for non-smokers and employees.
Impacts business operations and customer experience. Restaurants and bars may need to update their policies, signage, and enforcement practices, potentially changing the atmosphere and appeal of outdoor dining and drinking spaces.
Aligns with broader public health goals. The change is part of a trend toward comprehensive smoke-free laws, aiming to reduce smoking rates, encourage healthier behaviors, and lower healthcare costs associated with tobacco-related illnesses.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Smoking on Patios
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Companion bills
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Ban Smoking on Patios
In Senate Committee · Health · Sponsor James Skoufis
Extend Physical Therapy Assistant Law
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Vivian Cook
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1160
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. PAULIN, REYES -- read once and referred to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to repeal paragraph (g) of subdivision 1 of section 1399-q of the public health law relating to making restaurant and bar patios one hundred percent smoke free
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (g) of subdivision 1 of section 1399-q of the public health law is REPEALED.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00433-01-5
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.