Lung Association Commends Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Farley on Reducing NYC Smoking Rate

Statement by Michael Seilback, Vice President of Public Policy and Communications, American Lung Association in New York

NEW YORK, NY (09/15/2011)(readMedia)--

Following today's announcement by Mayor Michael Bloomberg that the smoking rate in New York City has hit an all time low, Michael Seilback, Vice President of Public Policy and Communications at the American Lung Association in New York, released the following statement:

"The announcement that the smoking rate in New York City has reached an all time low is great news for public health. Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Farley should be proud of the important work they've done to help drive down the smoking rate. By making New York's bars and restaurants smokefree, investing in hard-hitting ads that give New Yorkers a clear picture of what smoking will to do their health, providing free patches to help New Yorkers quit their addiction and, most recently, making New York City's parks and beaches smokefree, they've improved the lives of many New Yorkers. This is the kind of leadership we need on tobacco. Strong tobacco control efforts and expanded smokefree laws not only work in reducing smoking rates, they save lives."

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