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Suffolk County
Aiding in making your environment cleaner, healthier and smoke free!
What is the Clean Indoor Air Act?
Effective July of 2003, the New York State Clean Indoor Air Act (CIAA) is designed to protect employees against the potentially deadly effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Exposure to ETS is very harmful to one’s health, causing 3,000 lung cancer deaths and over 50,000 deaths due to heart disease each year. Benefiting all New Yorkers, this Act prohibits smoking in virtually all public indoor areas and is strictly enforced in Suffolk County.
KNOW THE FACTS!
Question & Answer - Guide for employers to New York’s Clean Indoor Air Act
Q: Where is smoking prohibited under Suffolk and New York State Law?
A: Under both New York State and Suffolk Law smoking is prohibited in all public areas including: places of employment, private businesses, food service establishments, bars and taverns, indoor arenas, public means of transportation and fleet vehicles. In addition to this legislation, Suffolk County also prohibits smoking within a fifty-foot radius of the entrances to all Hospitals and County government buildings.
Q: Who needs to enforce the CIAA?
A: It is the responsibility of every owner, operator, manager and person in charge to enforce the CIAA, to ensure employees and customers comply with the law.
Q: If I am an employer, how do I enforce this law?
A: You may not permit smoking. Some actions that may help with enforcement are:
- Develop a written policy and include specific guidelines about actions that should be taken if a patron refuses to stop smoking.
- Make certain all employees know and enforce your policy.
- Make every reasonable effort to ensure smoking is not permitted in your establishment. Passively informing a patron about the law does not fulfill your obligations.
- Do not make ashtray or cups with water available. They give the impression that smoking is permitted.
In case of any unlawful threats of violence or property damage, contact your local police department.
Q: If I am an employee or patron, what should I do if smoking occurs at my work place or in a public place?
A: You may file a complaint, with your local health department. In Suffolk County, call 631-853-2967. Complaints are kept confidential and may be made anonymously.
Q: What are the penalties under the CIAA?
A: For a first violation, an employer faces a maximum fine of $1,000. Subsequent violations may be as high as $2,000.
Additional Resources
- For questions about the law or to make a complaint, call the Suffolk County Department of Health Services: Tobacco Enforcement Unit (631) 853- 3162
- For Suffolk County residents who would like information about quitting smoking and free cessation classes, call: 631-853-4017
- For NY State residents who would like to quit smoking, call the NY State Smokers’ Quit Line at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487).
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