New York State Health Department Report Shows Clean Indoor Air Act Having Positive Impact on New Yorkers' Health

Publication Date: 2006-07-20

• Author:NY Department of Health
• Publication:NY Department of Health

Third-Year Anniversary of New York's Clean Indoor Air Act Marked by Significant Declines in New Yorkers' Exposure to Second-hand Smoke

The New York State Department of Health today released a report, entitled: The Health and Economic Impact of New York's Clean Indoor Air Act (CIAA) (PDF, 378KB, 32pg.), that shows New Yorkers' exposure to second-hand smoke has declined by 50 percent since the law took effect in July 2003.

"This may be the first time ever that research has shown a decline in the public's exposure to second-hand smoke following the implementation of a state anti-smoking law," said State Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H, Dr.P.H. "This is very promising news for the health of New Yorkers given the recent heightened U.S. Surgeon General's warning that there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke."

This year, The U.S. Surgeon General released a report entitled: The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke . . .

Also today, the State Health Department released a second report entitled: Smoking Cessation in New York State (PDF, 630KB, 56pg.), which highlights effective statewide strategies to promote tobacco cessation. Each year in New York State, 25,000 residents die as a result of cigarette use, losing an average of 14 years of life, and 570,000 residents suffer from serious tobacco-related diseases.