Tompkins County Legislature

RESOLUTION NO. 39 – AUTHORIZATION TO SUPPORT ESTABLISHMENT OF TOBACCO FREE ZONES AROUND ALL COUNTY FACILITIES

WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Health Department in July 2006 introduced the Tobacco Free Zone program in part as a voluntary tool to protect the health and safety of County employees, residents and visitors by improving air quality of building entryways and outdoor areas frequented by the public, and

WHEREAS, Local Law No. 6 of 1990 implemented smoking restrictions reflecting the Board of Representative's concern for the health and safety of County employees and members of the general public that use County-owned or -occupied buildings and vehicles, and

WHEREAS, Local Law No. 3 of 2003 implemented smoking restrictions designed to protect the health and safety of County residents by improving indoor air quality in bars, restaurants and places of employment, and

WHEREAS, a Report of the Surgeon General released on June 27, 2006, cites “massive and conclusive scientific evidence” that “there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke,” and that “exposure of adults to secondhand smoke has immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and causes coronary heart disease and lung cancer,” and

WHEREAS, a comprehensive survey of Tompkins County residents conducted in June 2006 shows that an overwhelming majority of Tompkins County adults (92.7%) consider exposure to secondhand smoke to be harmful, and

WHEREAS, the same June 2006 survey shows that 85.6% of Tompkins County adults favor restricting to certain areas, or not allowing at all smoking in the area around public building entryways in Tompkins County, and

WHEREAS, an owner or party with day-to-day jurisdiction over the outdoor area adjacent to public buildings including doorways, waiting areas and thoroughfares, may clearly demonstrate a preference for smoking restrictions to enhance the safety and comfort of employees, customers and the general public, and

WHEREAS, a Tobacco Free Zone, which is intended to designate an outdoor area where the public will not be exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke, may be used to clearly demonstrate a preference for smoking restrictions to enhance public safety and comfort, and

WHEREAS, comprehensive efforts to further reduce the social and economic burden of tobacco use in Tompkins County must include reducing the initiation of tobacco use among youth, and

WHEREAS, while parents and schools can have a major role in youth smoking prevention, exposure to tobacco use outside of home and school has been shown to greatly influence youth tobacco use, and

WHEREAS, reducing smoking in areas around public building entryways, doors and common areas will both reduce the exposure of all individuals to harmful secondhand tobacco smoke and reduce youth exposure to common and casual tobacco use, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on the recommendation of the Tompkins County Board of Health, and the Health and Human Services and Personnel Committees, That the Tompkins County Legislature supports the Health Department initiative to designate voluntary Tobacco Free Zones at buildings owned or occupied by the County for the purpose of conducting County business, or as a workplace for County employees,

RESOLVED, further, That County Department Heads shall, upon due consideration of this resolution and the best interest of the County, its employees and citizens, take action as seems appropriate in designating Tobacco Free Zones at their worksites,

RESOLVED, further, That the Commissioner of Personnel or her designee shall respond to inquiries pertaining to the Tobacco Free Zones at County workplaces and worksites.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
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Adopted by the Tompkins County Legislature on the 20th day of March, 2007.

See official Tompkins County News Item