Our NYC Smoke-Free program works to protect the health of New Yorkers through tobacco control policy, advocacy, and education. Formerly the NYC Coalition for a Smoke-Free City, we partner with community members, legislators, and health advocates to support local efforts to end the devastating tobacco epidemic throughout NYC where close to 1 million residents smoke. Every NYC resident has the right to breathe clean, smoke-free air where they live, work, and play, and people who smoke deserve the support and resources to quit.
Tobacco use and its negative health effects disproportionately underserved communities. Through our advocacy, NYC Smoke-Free fosters environments that support the prevention and reduction of tobacco use through the development and reinforcement of tobacco-free norms in communities throughout New York City. Employing youth action and community engagement, our community-based strategy includes community education, community mobilization, government policy-maker education, and advocacy with organizational decision makers.
In New York City, over 12,000 residents die from a smoking-related illness every year.
Publications
Impact
This program has contributed significantly to the uptick in tobacco control measures in New York City, including playing an important role in laying the groundwork and advocating for the Smoke-Free Air Act of 2002.
The New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Tobacco Control funds NYC Smoke-Free at Public Health Solutions to increase support for New York State’s tobacco-free norm through youth action and community engagement. Efforts are evidence-based, policy-driven, and cost-effective approaches that decrease youth tobacco use, motivate adult smokers to quit, and eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke.