NEW YORK STATE -- New York State has become the first state in the nation to ban the use of tobacco products at prevention, treatment and recovery programs for drug and alcohol abuse.

Thursday's ban was unveiled by the state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse services on the fifth anniversary of the Clean Indoor Air Act. That act made it illegal to smoke in restaurants and bars across New York.

Smoking rates among New Yorkers are just over 18 percent, but 92 percent of people with drug and alcohol problems are smokers.

"We know from the research that tobacco negatively impacts recovery rates and that is our job. To assist people with life-long recovery," said Karen Carpenter-Palumbo, OASAS Commissioner.

Research shows that tobacco related diseases kill more people each year than all other addictive substances combined. About 11,000 patients and 35,000 staff members are affected by the new ban.