Here you can get help quitting smoking, learn about current laws, and join the fight to eliminate the dangers of smoking for you and your loved ones.

Smoke Free NOW is a coalition of agencies and individuals dedicated to reducing the use of tobacco products in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. We aim to accomplish this by reducing the impact of retail tobacco marketing on youth and by reducing the number of licensed tobacco retailers in each county. Tobacco use is the foremost preventable cause of premature death in the United States, causing over 25, 000 deaths in New York State each year and more than 400,000 deaths in the U.S. Research indicates that higher tobacco retail outlet density is significantly associated with higher rates of youth smoking initiation and experimentation.

Smoke Free NOW has also launched a Tobacco Free Outdoors campaign to educate the public on the need to have tobacco free outdoor recreational areas such as parks, beaches, playgrounds and public entryways. Tobacco litter is poisonous to children and wildlife. Discarded cigarette butts are the most common form of litter. Studies show they are toxic, slow to decompose, and costly to remove. Smoke Free NOW is working with decision makers throughout each county to pass ordinances that will keep tobacco off of our recreation and public entryways and by doing so, we hope to inspire a healthy community for generations to come.

If you are a business, non-profit agency or community organization, please consider signing a Statement of Support to reduce the impact of tobacco marketing on our youth. For more information about our programs or if you’d like to help us reach our goals, please contact Kevin Keenan at 585-815-1875 or by e-mail at kkeenan@gcasa.org.

Brief History of Tobacco Control in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties

The Smoke Free NOW program began in January 2000, and is built on a foundation of community partners using evidence-based strategies from the Guide to Community Preventive Services to decrease tobacco use.

Effective July 24, 2003, the amended New York State Clean Indoor Air Act (Public Health Law, Article 13-E) prohibits smoking in virtually all workplaces, including restaurants and bars. The changes in the Act reflect the state’s commitment to ensuring that all workers are protected from secondhand smoke. Localities may continue to adopt and enforce local laws regulating smoking. However, these regulations must be at least as strict as the Clean Indoor Air Act

Over time, the program has effectively implemented a strong clean indoor air law, maintained support for high tobacco taxes to keep the price of tobacco high, and worked to increase access to effective cessation services and motivate smokers to try to quit. As a result of programmatic efforts, youth and adult smoking rates are at their lowest levels on record; between 16–18% in Genesee, Orleans & Wyoming Counties. The U.S. adult smoking rate is around 20%.

Smoke Free NOW experienced a temporary lapse in our grant from July 2009 to April 2010, and resumed tobacco control and prevention programming in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties as of May 2010. Smoke Free NOW is presently working with community leaders, agencies and individuals to support actions that would motivate retailers to remove tobacco product sales and marketing towards youth from their facilities. We’re also working with decision makers in the community to encourage the passage of ordinances for tobacco free parks, beaches, playgrounds and public entryways.