STATEMENT FROM STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA AS BILL PROHIBITING SMOKING BY PUBLIC LIBRARIES PASSES THE HEALTH COMMITTEE

(Albany, NY) - State Senator Gustavo Rivera released the following statement after bill S169 passed the New York State Senate Health Committee. This bill, which is sponsored by Assemblymember Jeffery Dinowitz in the New York State Assembly, will ensure New Yorkers visiting a public library are not exposed to second hand smoke by prohibiting smoking within 100 feet from its entrances or exits.  This bill will now move to the floor of the Senate where it will be eligible for a floor vote. 

“Just a few days ago, the NYC Department of Health announced that New Yorkers are exposed to second hand smoke at a higher rate than the rest of the country. Not only do we need to deal with the serious impact smoking is directly having on the health of New Yorkers, but we need to do more to protect New Yorkers from exposure during their daily routines. This bill looks to expand protections that are already in place and ensure New Yorkers are able to access all the resources available to them at our public libraries without having worry about their health. I look forward to working with Assemblyman Dinowitz to pass this measure in both the Senate and Assembly.”