DOH Asks ACFs to Review Smoking Policies with Residents and Staff

The Department of Health (DOH) has recently received multiple smoking related concerns related to Adult Care Facilities (ACFs). DOH asks that ACFs review your facility’s smoking policies and procedures with both staff and residents to protect resident health and safety. New York State Public Health Law § 1399-o outlines smoking restrictions for certain indoor areas. Specifically, smoking shall not be permitted and no person shall smoke in health care facilities licensed by the state in which persons reside. This does not prohibit smoking by residents in separate enclosed rooms of ACFs, which are designated as smoking rooms for residents. DOH is interested in hearing about best practices from ACFs. Please let us know if you have one you would like us to share with DOH. 

Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828