Mineola, NY - Nassau County's new smoke-free workplace law, which went into effect March 1, makes the county home to one of the toughest anti-smoking restrictions in New York State. The law, modeled after other clean-indoor air laws in the country, such as California's, protects workers from second-hand smoke, including those who are employed in bars and restaurants. The law was passed 10-9, along party lines, back in October 2002 and was implemented just 30 days before New York City follows suit with its own ban. Westchester also passed a similar smoking ban this week.

"I believe this law is a major victory for the health of all Nassau County residents," said Legislator Brian Muellers (D-Locust Valley), one of the sponsors of the legislation. "After much thought, discussion and research, those who supported this bill based their decision on a very well-founded concern for public health."

"As a health agency, we support the new smoking law that protects both the residents and visitors to Nassau County," said Dr. David Ackman, Commissioner of the Nassau County Department of Health. "We encourage all food service establishments to work with their employees to inform customers of the new regulations, as they would with any house rule. To that end the Health Department has developed a flyer to help business owners and employers interpret and comply with the new smoking law."

Last year Democratic legislators worked alongside officials from Suffolk County, New York City and Westchester to coordinate similar anti-smoking laws that would have corresponding starting dates, but Suffolk County disappointed when it voted to implement its law affecting the restaurants and bars in 2006. While some bar and restaurant owners recently urged legislators to delay Nassau's starting date to match Suffolk's, most legislative majority members concluded that a delay was not warranted.

"Our collective position to not delay the start of our law is based on strong, reliable evidence and County Executive Thomas Suozzi's support remains strong," said Deputy Presiding Officer Roger Corbin (D-Westbury).

While some critics of the law say these new restrictions will hurt business, statistics and numerous studies prove that this is simply untrue. In California, where smoking is banned in all bars and restaurants, revenue has grown in every business category that serves food and drink. According to a recent study conducted by the Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island, nonsmokers as well as smokers support increasing local smoking restrictions.

The County's new anti-smoking ordinance is strongly supported by the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association and the Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island. Back in December 2002, the American Cancer Society graded Nassau County's smoke free workplace legislation with an A+, the highest rating of any region in New York State.

According to studies, the average bartender breathes in enough second hand smoke in a day to equal a half a pack of cigarettes and restaurant and bar owners have a 50 percent higher risk of developing lung cancer due to exposure to second-hand smoke-a Class 'A' carcinogen.

"The celebration for a smoke-free workplace begins at midnight," said Will Stoner, Regional Advocacy Director for the American Cancer Society.

The new law will be enforced by the Nassau County Health Department. For any questions about the enforcement of this, call the Nassau County Department of Health at the following numbers for additional information: 571-3680 (Restaurants, bars, catering halls and hotels) and 571-3232 (Places of employment an other establishments). Fines for violating the law range up to $250 for each violation.