Tobacco Documents Online

'I'HEE TOBACCO INSTITUTE 1776 K STREET, NORTHWEST/WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006 202/457-4800 TO: C RICHARD E. SCANLAN. JR. 'Public Affairs Manager Middle Atlantic States 8 North Ferry Street Schenectady. N.Y. 12305 518'XM-Mftc 382-5575 April 28, 1978 From: Richard E. Scanlan Re: Westchester County, New York, amendments to the County Raymond A. Oliverio itary Code to restrict smoking in public places. Following a telephone conversation with Dr. E. Franklin Hall, Act- ing Commissioner of Health for Westchester County, I am informed the County Board of Health yesterday approved a draft amendment to the County Sanitary Code to restrict smoking in public places. Copies of the amendments are not available because of their draft status, but I am informed they include provisions requiring desig- nation of smoking and non-smoking areas in restaurants with a seat- ing capacity of 100 or more persons and with more than one room, and in public places with 10 or more employees including retail stores and places of work. With regard to places of work, there must be 10 or more employees in one room. Bars are exempt from the amendments. Once the draft amendments are finalized, they must be approved by the County Attorney and the State Health Department, and must be publicly advertised for 10 days before the Board of Health takes a final vote. I am informed this approval is routine. Although there are no plans for public hearings in~the County be- fore the amendments become final, I have made arrangements to meet with Dr. Hall May 5, 1978, to discuss these amendments in greater- detail. I will also work with the County Attorney, Gerald Harris, and the members of the Board of Legislators (17members of the Board) to urge that these amendments not be adopted by the Board of Health. I will keep you advised as to the status of this matter.