This Saturday marks the 10-year anniversary of New York City's landmark smoke-free law. The NYC Smoke-Free Air Act ensures that all New Yorkers can breathe smoke-free air in their workplaces, whether that's in a high-rise office building, a neighborhood restaurant or a bar. The law changed social norms in the city, and is a key component of the comprehensive approach the NYC health department has taken to reduce its smoking rates to as low as 14 percent in 2012, which is well below the national average of 19 percent. To commemorate the anniversary, ACS CAN staff members participated in an event Wednesday night in NYC with Mayor Bloomberg, CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden and representatives from other tobacco control advocacy groups. I also wanted to share this great ad that ran in the front section of the New York Times this week that is signed by all of our partner groups.
We're hard at work across the country in states and localities to pass strong smoke-free laws like the one in NYC because everyone has the right to breathe smoke-free air.
Today’s blog is one of a series of posts highlighting how ACS CAN is examining, prioritizing and pursuing policy interventions that ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to prevent, find, treat and survive cancer. Achieving health equity in communities nationwide is a cornerstone of our mission.