• Increase state funding for comprehensive tobacco control programs
• Increase the amount of state & local smokefree areas including parks, beaches and other public places
• Increase tobacco cessation coverage to ensure that all smokers have the tools necessary to help them quit
• Create a comprehensive cleanup fund to reduce diesel emissions
• Enact regulations to restrict the use of heavy polluting outdoor wood boilers 

Become an E-Advocate

Take part now in one of our current advocacy campaigns and let your elected officials know that healthy lungs and clean air are important to you.  By joining thousands of on-line activists across the state, you can influence decisionmakers on issues you care about.  As part of the American Lung Association Action Network, you'll receive alerts and updates on public policy issues we are fighting for. Sign up today

Current Legislation

Below are bills introduced to date in the New York State Legislature and the New York City Council across New York which impact lung health and air quality.  Our policy staff closely monitor the introduction of legislation and updates this list throughout the year. If no bill number is listed next to a proposal, that indicates that a bill we supported/opposed during the previous session has not yet been introduced for the 2011-2012 session. Check this page often for updates as the session progresses.

Click on the bill title for the Lung Association's memo in support or opposition.  Click on the bill number to see a summary of the legislation.

New York State Legislature

SUPPORT

Prohibiting the Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products
S. No Same As- A.288
Assembly - Referred to Health on 1/05/11 
Senate -

Establishes the Diesel Emissions Retrofit Program and Fund
S. No Same As - A. 1470
Assembly - Referred to Environmental Conservation on 1/10/11
Senate -

Prohibits Smoking on Public Beaches and in Public Parks
S. No Same As - A. 1532
Assembly - Referred to Environmental Conservation on 1/11/11
Senate

Relates to the Purchase of Cleaner Vehicles for Use by State Agencies
S. No Same As - A. 308
Assembly - Referred to Governmental Operations on 1/05/11
Senate -

Restricts the Operation of Diesel Powered Electrical Generation Systems in Ozone Non-attainment Areas
S.1378 - A.1982
Assembly -Referred to Environmental Conservation on 1/12/11
Senate - Referred to Environmental Conservation on 1/7/11

Prohibiting Smoking within 50 feet of State Offices
S. No Same As - A. 184
Assembly - Referred to Health on 1/05/11
Senate -

Prohibits Smoking in Public Parks and Pedestrian Plazas
S. No Same As - A.6156
Assembly - Referred to Health on 3/8/11
Senate -

Requires a Reduction in Sulfur Emissions for all Heating Oil Used in Non-attainment Areas
S. No Same As - A. 951
Assembly - Referred to Environmental Conservation on 1/5/11
Senate -

Allowing Students with Respiratory Illnesses to Carry Prescribed Inhalers at School
S. No Same As - A. 935
Assembly - Referred to Education
Senate -

Relates to Student Use of Prescribed Inhalers and Nebulizers at School
S. No Same As - A.1395
Assembly - Referred to Education on 1/5/11
Senate -

Creates an Asthma Disease Management and Control Program Within the NYS Department of Health
S. 1024 - A. 5453
Assembly - Referred to Health on 2/18/11
Senate - Referred to Health on 1/5/11

Relates to the Remediation and Prevention of Indoor Mold
S.3121 - A. 1466
Assembly - Referred to Housing on 1/10/11
Senate - Referred to Housing, Construction and Community Development on 2/9/11

Requiring Encrypted Cigarette Tax Stamps
S.582 - A. No Same As
Assembly -
Senate - 

Tobacco Disclosure Law
S. No same As -A.82
Assembly - Referred to Codes  on 1/19/11
Senate - 

Smokefree Playgrounds


Prohibits Idling by Heavy Duty Vehicles
S.36 - A. No Same As
Assembly -
Senate -

Enacts the Healthy, Safe and Energy Efficient Outdoor Lighting Act
S. No Same As - A. 1478
Assembly -
Senate -

Lung Cancer Education and Prevention Funding
S.- 2304 -A.543
Assembly - Referred to Health on 1/5/2011
Senate - Referred to Health on 1/18/2011

Prohibiting Tobacco Sales at Pharmacies
 
Prohibits Smoking in Private Vehicles when there are passengers under age 16

Setting Outdoor Lighting Standards

Banning Electronic Cigarettes
S.695 - A.1468
Assembly - Referred to Health on 1/5/11
Senate -  Referred to Health on 1/05/11

Prohibiting Smoking on the platforms of the Long Island and Metro North railroads
S. - No Same As - A.597
Assembly - Referred to Health on 1/05/11
Senate - 

OPPOSE

Relates to taxes on cigarettes sold on an Indian reservation to non-members of the Indian nation or tribe
S. 2008 - A.1101
Assembly - Referred to Ways and Means on 1/5/11
Senate -  Referred to Investigations and Government Operations on 1/14/11

Relates to the regulation of outdoor wood boilers
S.2182 - A. 2165
Assembly - Referred to Environmental Conservation on 1/14/11
Senate - Referred to Environmental Conservation on 1/18/11

Caps the state tax imposed on cigars
S. No Same As - A. 1093
Assembly - Referred to Ways and Means on 1/5/11
Senate -

Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act
               
Repealing a Portion of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act as part of the DRP

New York City

The American Lung Association in New York is a member of the NYC Coalition for a Smoke-Free City.  The Association works with the coalition on education, advocacy and communication efforts.  Together with other organizations and stakeholders, the Coalition supports community-based efforts for effective and long term change throughout NYC and works to advance the NYC Tobacco Control agenda in three areas:
• Expansion of smoke-free air
• Reducing youth exposure to tobacco industry marketing and product access
• Increasing the price of tobacco products

SUPPORT

Prohibiting smoking in City parks, beaches and pedestrian plazas
Intro 332

Requiring Idle reduction technology in ambulances
Intro 915

Requiring ULSD fuel by diesel fuel-powered private ferries