Mineola, NY-Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) and the Nassau County Legislature's Democratic Majority took the lead this week when they were joined by officials from Suffolk, New York City and Westchester to discuss their varying proposals to prohibit smoking in the workplace, including bars and restaurants. The unprecedented quad-county meeting was billed as the Clean Indoor Air Summit. Also in attendance were several dozen anti-smoking advocates.

"We believe the only way to approach this legislation is with a regional outlook," said Jacobs, who lead the summit. "We must be consistent with our legislation across county lines. It is imperative that we all be on the same page, with the same timetable to avoid confusion for the proprietors and the customers."

Last week Democrats unveiled legislation that would strengthen the already existing smoking ordinances for the County. The proposed law is modeled after other clean-indoor air laws in the country. Lawmakers in Suffolk and Westchester counties are also working on similar legislation.

"Restaurant and bar employees have the right to work in a smoke-free environment," said Jacobs. "While the County passed smoking restrictions back in 1998, we believe it is time to take a stronger stance on this health issue."

Jacobs was joined by Legislators Roger Corbin (D-Westbury), Legislator Michael Zapson (D-Long Beach), Nassau County Health Commissioner Dr. David Ackman, Suffolk County Legislators Brian Foley and Ginny Fields, Westchester Board of Legislators Majority Leader Tom Abinanti and New York City Council representatives Peter Rider and Kevin Fullington.

"There is an excitement at hand," said Rider, chief of staff for New York City Councilwoman Christine Quinn. "It is unprecedented to work collectively on public health concerns."

"This is a great example of local governments banding together to protect the health of citizens," said Legislator Foley. "I hope this regional approach will not only begin and end with anti-smoking, but will extend to other health issues as well."

According to George Rosales of the American Heart Association, if the four counties pass legislation to ban smoking in the workplace, it would effect more than two-thirds the population of New York State.

"Nassau County officials should be heralded for proposing legislation that will go great distances to help avoid the deaths of about 180 Nassau County residents each year attributed to second hand smoke", said William Stoner, Regional Advocacy Director for the American Cancer Society. "Banning smoking in all workplaces not only makes great health sense but all documentation available shows that this also makes great economic sense," added Stoner.

"According to recent polls, a majority of restaurant and bar patrons say they want a smoke-free environment," said Jacobs. "We believe this legislation will not only address that, but will also protect the employees who work there."

Lawmakers agreed that future meetings would take place after Westchester and Suffolk counties draft their legislation.

"The summit was certainly a momentous occasion and a great starting point," said Jacobs. "Hopefully, this will lead to regional thinking on a variety of issues."

Currently both Nassau and Suffolk have designated smoking areas with separate ventilation. Bars and bar areas are exempt. In New York City smoking is banned in restaurants with more than 35 seats, with bars and bar areas exempt. Westchester allows smoking in bar areas of restaurants if smoking and non-smoking areas are separated by a barrier.