Compliance with the New York City Smoke-Free Air Act

Abstract

This study's objective was to determine the level of compliance with the New York City Smoke-Free Air Act. Three data sources were used: (1) a population-based telephone survey of 251 New York City restaurant owners/managers; (2) independent inspections of the 251 surveyed restaurants; and (3) complaint records from the New York City Department of Health from April 1995 to March 1997. Ninety percent of restaurant owners/managers reported their indoor dining area was smoke-free in compliance with the law. Most New York City restaurants were able to comply with the smoke-free law with relative ease and little expense.