Catherwood LibraryILR School

The Nassau County Legislature is today expected to pass a bill enjoying majority support, that would ban smoking in all workplaces starting March 1, 2003, making the county the first in New York State to do so. Despite an exemption for businesses that rely on tobacco sales for ninety percent or more of their revenue, and studies showing no adverse impact to restaurants and bars in smoke-free-workplace states, restaurant and bar owners’ associations have campaigned vigorously against the measure. The legislation is part of a downstate New York effort by New York City, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties to present a united front on creating smoke-free workplaces, that will see similar measures go to votes in NYC and Suffolk next month.