Several wineries in the Finger Lakes region have taken significant steps towards promoting a healthier environment for both their staff and visitors.
According to Jody Earle, who spoke with the Finger Lakes Times about the initiative, four establishments—including two in Yates County and one in Ontario County—have now declared their properties smoke-free.
This includes not just indoor spaces, but also outdoor areas like parking lots, decks, patios, and other external grounds.
These establishments—Seneca Shores Wine Cellars and De-Marco Vineyards in Penn Yan, Fruit Yard Winery in Dundee, and White Springs Winery in Geneva—have placed bans on smoking, vaping, and all forms of tobacco use.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention stresses the dangers of secondhand smoke, emphasizing that even momentary exposure can lead to immediate harm. It’s significant to note that Yates and Ontario counties have smoking rates of 13.2% and 14.1%, respectively, while the statewide average is 12%.
The Tobacco Action Coalition of the Finger Lakes is among 25 entities in New York working towards promoting tobacco-free norms.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].