Tompkins County, NY Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

Chapter 72, Article II of the Tompkins County Code bans smoking in three settings: places of employment, bars, and food service establishments. " Because outdoor seating is folded directly into both terms, § 72-7's prohibition on smoking in bars and food service establishments extends to a restaurant's sidewalk tables or a tavern's beer garden, not just the indoor dining room. vapes), so vaping on a covered patio is treated the same as a lit cigarette. The law states it does not limit any stricter restriction imposed by state law, and it incorporates the exceptions and defenses in place under Article 13-E of the state Public Health Law as of July 25, 2003.

Enforcement runs through the Tompkins County Board of Health or its designee: § 72-8 authorizes the enforcement officer to hold a hearing and, per § 72-9, impose a penalty of up to $1,000 for a violation after that hearing, citing § 309 of the Public Health Law. Each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense, and the owner, operator, or manager of the premises must let the County Health Department in to check compliance.