LOCAL LAW NO. "I" FOR 2020
A LOCAL LAW OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY, NEW YORK TO PROHIBIT SMOKING IN COMMON AREAS OF MULTIPLE UNIT DWELLINGS
Introduced: 10/13/20
By Mr. Efekoro, Mss. Cunningham, Plotsky, Messrs. Peter, Kuhn, Burgdorf, A. Joyce, Feeney, Bruschi, Cleary, Commisso, Ethier, Fein, Ms. Lekakis, Messrs. Miller, Reidy, Reinhardt, Ricard and Simpson:
Section 1: TITLE
This Local Law shall be known as the "Albany County Smoke-Free Common Areas Law."
Section 2: STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION
This Local Law is hereby adopted pursuant to the provisions of the New York Municipal Home Rule Law ? 10(1)(ii)(a)(12).
Section 3: FINDINGS; PURPOSE
This Legislature finds that, each year, 41,000 people die prematurely from exposure to second hand smoke. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, there is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure. E-cigarette aerosol (often called vapor) can also contain harmful and potentially harmful substances including nicotine, ultrafine particles, flavoring chemicals, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals. For tenants and owners of multiple unit dwellings, such as apartments and condominiums, tobacco smoke and vapor from a neighboring unit that infiltrates their homes results in daily exposure to many hazardous chemicals due to secondhand smoke and vapor which travels through lighting fixtures, cracks in walls, shared heating and ventilation, around plumbing, and under doors.
Therefore, it is the purpose of this Local Law to protect the public health and welfare of the residents of Albany County by prohibiting smoking and "vaping" in common areas in multiple unit dwellings.
Section 4: DEFINITIONS
As used in this Local Law, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
INDOOR COMMON AREA - Every interior enclosed or unenclosed area of a multiple unit dwelling that residents of more than one unit are entitled to enter or use, including but not limited to halls, lobbies, interior courtyards, elevators, stairs,...
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