"The nation has lost a visionary public health leader today with the passing of former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, who was born and raised in Brooklyn. Outspoken on the dangers of smoking, his leadership led to stronger warning labels on cigarettes and increased awareness about second-hand smoke, creating an environment that helped millions of Americans to stop smoking - and setting the stage for the dramatic changes in smoking laws that have occurred over the past decade.  Today, smoking in New York City has fallen to record-lows, and we are closer than ever to meeting the challenge that Koop issued in 1984 to 'create a smoke-free society.' His legacy as a respected and prescient leader on critical public health issues will long be felt across the nation, and on behalf of his grateful hometown, I want to extend my sincere condolences to his family."