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Alcohol, Tobacco, Marijuana, Vaping & Drug Policy

The Hepburn Library of Lisbon property, including the building and grounds, is free from alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, vaping, and illegal drug use. 

Exceptions for alcohol distribution by an authorized alcohol vendor licensed by the State of New York will be considered by the Board of Trustees. A written request including all applicable proof of license and liability insurance must be made to the Library Director at least forty-five days in advance of the event.

In addition, the library is committed to compliance with New York’s prohibition of smoking on the grounds of public libraries effective June 19th, 2019. 

According to Public Health Law §1399-o, subdivision 6:

Smoking shall not be permitted and no person shall smoke within one hundred feet of the entrances, exits or outdoor areas of any public or association library as defined in subdivision two of section two hundred fifty-three of the education law; provided, however, that the provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to smoking in a residence, or within the real property boundary lines of such residential real property.

“Smoking” is defined in Public Health Law §1399-n(8) as “burning of a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe, or any other matter or substance which contains tobacco.” Library policy extends to marijuana and “vaping”, defined as the use of an electronic cigarette, regardless of its inclusion in the Public Health Law.

The library provides signage where smoking is restricted. Signage is posted at each door of the building, regardless of whether such door serves as a public entrance or exit, located approximately where the 100-foot restricted perimeter begins, or as close to the restricted perimeter as possible. The signage clearly denotes that smoking and vaping is prohibited and contains the language: “New York State law prohibits smoking within 100 feet of public library doorways.”

Under Public Health Law §1399-s, the library is required to post signage at each location under the library’s administrative control; make good faith and reasonable efforts to ensure employees, contractors, and volunteers comply with the law; and designate an agent or person responsible for informing other individuals when they are in violation of the law. The library director shall be the designated person. 

Additional resources will be provided upon request: