NY, Mass. Pyramid Malls To Be Tobacco-Free

There's no more lighting up smokes outside 15 shopping malls in New York and Massachusetts.

Syracuse-based Pyramid Management Group says that as of Thursday, all of its mall properties are tobacco-free.

That means no cigarettes, pipes, chewing tobacco or electronic cigarettes anywhere on mall property, whether it be sidewalks, loading docks, parking lots or construction areas. The ban applies to Pyramid employees, along with tenant stores, vendors, delivery people and shoppers.

Pyramid says the policy is meant to support people who are sensitive to secondhand smoke or trying to quit smoking while making shopping more enjoyable and healthier for everyone.

Among Pyramid's 11 New York malls are the Carousel Center in Syracuse, Walden Galleria near Buffalo and Crossgates Mall in Albany. There are four Massachusetts malls.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.)