Senator Fuschillo Announces New Law Prohibiting Smoking on Hospital Grounds and Residential Healthcare Facilities

Prohibits Smoking on the Campus Grounds & Within 15 Feet of Hospital Property Lines

          Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) recently announced that legislation he supported to prohibit smoking on the grounds of general hospitals and residential health care facilities, has been signed into law by Governor Cuomo. The new law prohibits smoking outdoors on the grounds of hospitals and residential health care facilities, as well as within 15 feet of an entrance or exit to the building or grounds.

          “Secondhand smoke is dangerous and potentially deadly, which can lead to many serious conditions such as heart disease and lung cancer,” said Senator Fuschillo. “This new law will protect patients, hospital staff, and visitors from the severe health risks associated with secondhand smoke and further promote the healthy environment at these facilities.”

          Nationwide, deadly secondhand smoke has been linked to over 46,000 deaths annually from heart disease and 3,600 deaths from lung cancer in nonsmokers. Additionally, secondhand smoke is responsible for lung infections and ear infections in children, as well as exacerbation of childhood asthma and hospitalizations related to all of these maladies.

          Smoking within health care facilities is already prohibited under state law. Over 100 hospitals in New York State have already voluntarily instituted such smoking bans. This law is necessary to extend the prohibition statewide, protecting those living, working, and visiting in health care facilities from exposure to the life threatening dangers of secondhand smoke. The City of New York instituted a smoking ban within 15 feet of hospital grounds, entrances, and exits in 2009.

          The new law takes effect on October 30th.

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