Tobacco Laws & Information

Clean Indoor Air Act (CIAA)

The goal of this program is to reduce the exposure of the public to secondary smoke within public places and the workplace.

Secondhand smoke - a substance with over 4,000 chemical compounds, including 43 known to cause cancer - is responsible for the deaths of approximately 62,000 non-smokers each year in the United States.

The Clean Indoor Air Act (CIAA) prohibits smoking in virtually all places of business. In January of 2017 an amendment was added to the law prohibiting vaping in public places. Business owners are required to inform employees and patrons that smoking is prohibited indoors and to post No Smoking signs in conspicuous places within their establishment. This program provides services in the following areas:

  • Enforces compliance with the New York State Clean Indoor Air Act
  • Inspects facilities that are under permit (such as bars and restaurants) for compliance with the Clean Indoor Air Act
  • Investigates complaints regarding smoking or vaping in public places and work sites

Regulation of Tobacco Products, Herbal Cigarettes, Electronic Cigarettes and Smoking Paraphernalia distribution to underage individuals, also known as Adolescent Tobacco Use Prevention Act (ATUPA).

This regulates the sale of tobacco and vaping products to restrict their access by youth and young adults under 21 years of age.  In addition, this regulation prohibits the sale of flavored vaping products to anyone in the State of New York.

The program tries to achieve this by:

  • Performing compliance checks at facilities where tobacco or electronic cigarettes are sold to ensure the products are not sold to a person under 21 years of age.
  • Verifying that tobacco retailers are registered with the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance
  • Making sure retailers comply with signage and display requirements
  • Taking enforcement actions for violations of ATUPA

Additional Information

Smokers Quitline

Access the NYS Smoker's Quitline website or call 866-697-8487.

Local Law No. 5 For The Year 2013 - Tobacco Retail Licensing Ordinance

The Cayuga County Legislature passed a local law that impacts vendors of tobacco products.  In order to sell tobacco, tobacco products, or electronic cigarettes to consumers in Cayuga County, a vendor must have a valid Tobacco Retail License issued by the Cayuga County Health Department. 

Local Law

Local Law Number 5 For The Year 2013 - Tobacco Retail Licensing Ordinance (PDF)

Application