Impact of Smoke-Free Air Laws on Secondhand Smoking: Evidence From New York City

Anti-smoking laws reduce exposure to secondhand smoke in areas that are targeted by such laws; however, the effects of these laws on displacing smokers to alternative locations where smoking is allowed remains unexplored due to limited data. This paper uses unique nonparticipant observational data on smoking frequency and location from New York City to estimate the impact of secondhand smoke exposure. Estimates indicate that nonsmokers are exposed to secondhand smoke once every 1.9 city blocks, and exposure is greater near smoking-restricted areas such as schools and hotels, which suggests anti-smoking laws displace smokers and increase exposure for others.