SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENT

Smoke Free Environment

The State of Tennessee has adopted a Non-Smoker Protection Act. Many businesses may not realize that this Law is effective June 11, 2007 so it is now in effect. However, all businesses have until October 1, 2007 to comply with the law.

Basically, the law will prohibit smoking in almost any enclosed public buildings (“public” defined as open to the public) and requires almost every public and private employer to comply. The law prohibits smoking in retail stores, public places, restaurants, offices etc.

“No Smoking” signs or the international no-smoking symbol must be placed at every entrance to a public place or place of employment where smoking is banned.

The smoking ban is enforced by the Tennessee Department of Health and Department of Labor and Workforce Development. A person smoking in violation of the ban is subject to a civil penalty of $50. Owners or managers of public places who violate the ban will be subject to a warning for a first violation, a civil penalty of $100 for a second violation in a 12-month period, and a civil penalty of $500 for a third or subsequent violation in a 12-month period.

A copy of the bill is available at http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts/105/pub/pc0410.pdf