Smokefree Progress
Across the U.S.In MichiganAround the World
Across the U.S.
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Green (33)
- Smokefree worksites, restaurants and/or bars
* Also Washington, D.C.
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Red (17)
- In the process of becoming smokefree / No statewide action to ensure smokefree air
| State | Smokefree Status |
|---|---|
| Alabama | No statewide smokefree activity. The cities of Citronelle, Cottonwood, East Brewton, Flomaton and Oxford have passed 100% smokefree ordinances covering all worksites including restaurants and bars. |
| Alaska | No statewide smokefree activity. The American Cancer Society has joined with the American Lung Association of Alaska, the American Heart Association, and AARP to form Keep Anchorage Workplaces Smokefree! to campaign against repeal of the Anchorage clean indoor air law. |
| Arizona | Arizona implemented its statewide smokefree air law on May 1, 2007. The regulation covers Arizona's indoor workplaces and public places, including restaurants and bars. |
| Arkansas | Governor Mike Huckabee signed into law a Clean Indoor Air Act which ensures that nearly all workplaces, including restaurants, are smokefree. |
| California | Most California worksites and restaurants went smokefree on January 1, 1995. Bars went smokefree on January 1, 1998. |
| Colorado | Colorado went smokefree in most worksites, restaurants and bars on July 1, 2006. The House approved a bill on February 28th that would extend the statewide smokefree law to casinos, responding to complaints from employees who deserve the same protection from secondhand smoke that other workers receive. The bill (HB 1269) was approved by a 36-29 vote. It will go to the Senate for consideration. |
| Connecticut | On October 1, 2003, Connecticut became smokefree in most workplaces, including restaurants. A state law making bars smokefree went into effect on April 1, 2004. |
| Delaware | On November 27, 2002, Delaware went 100% smokefree in all public buildings and workplaces including bars, restaurants, and casinos. |
| Florida | The Florida State Constitution, as implemented by statute, ensures smokefree worksites, including restaurants as of July 1, 2003. |
| Georgia | Effective July 1, 2005, Georgia became smokefree in some public places including bars and restaurants that admit minors. |
| Hawaii | Hawaiian legislation ensures that all public places and places of employment, including restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, and nightclubs are smokefree. |
| Idaho | On July 1, 2004, Idaho passed legislation that ensures smokefree restaurants. |
| Illinois | Beginning January 1, 2008, the Smoke-Free Illinois Act will make almost all indoor public places 100% smokefree, including bars, restaurants and private clubs. |
| Indiana | The Fort Wayne City Council approved one of the strictest smokefree ordinances in Indiana on January 16, 2007. The ordinance covers almost every employee in the city and includes restaurants, bars and membership clubs. Fort Wayne becomes only the third municipality in the nation to overturn a smoking rooms ordinance for a more comprehensive measure. |
| Iowa | Iowa bars, restaurants and workplaces will be smoke-free starting July 1, 2008 |
| Kansas | State Senator David Wysong of Mission Hills has introduced legislation to make workplaces, restaurants and bars smokefree. Senate Bill 37 prohibits smoking in indoor public places and places of employment, including restaurants and bars. The bill allows for Counties to opt out of the requirements. |
| Kentucky | No statewide smokefree activity. Employment levels at local bars and restaurants in Lexington have not been affected by a smokefree law, according to a study. The study by the University of Kentucky found employment opportunities at restaurants actually grew after the law was enacted. Employment in restaurants rose by 3 percent over a year after the law went into effect and employment in bars remained the same. The study used employment data in the bar and restaurant industries in Lexington and six surrounding counties. |
| Louisiana | Louisiana's Clean Indoor Air Act went into effect January 1, 2007. This bill will ensure smokefree workplaces and restaurants. |
| Maine | Most worksites in Maine went smokefree on January 1, 1986. Restaurants and bars have been smokefree since January 1, 2004. |
| Maryland | Governor Martin O'Malley pledged to sign legislation making Maryland workplaces, restaurants and bars smokefree if it reaches his desk, setting the stage for debate in the General Assembly. The Clean Indoor Air Act of 2007 (HB359/ SB91) would prohibit smoking in indoor public places and places of employment, including restaurants and bars. |
| Massachusetts | On July 1, 2004, a statewide smokefree regulation went into effect in workplaces, including restaurants and bars. This came after many local communities became smokefree, such as Cambridge and Cape Cod. |
| Michigan | The Campaign for Smokefree Air (CSA) is supporting Senate Bills 109 and 110 and House Bill 4163. If passed, these bills will ensure that Michigan residents can enjoy clean, smokefree air when at work or dining out. On December 5, 2007, the Michigan House of Representatives passed House Bill 4163 by a 56-46 margin. The legislation now goes to the Senate for consideration. |
| Minnesota | On May 16, 2007, Minnesota’s Freedom to Breathe Act of 2007 was signed into law, ensuring Minnesota comprehensive smoke-free workplace protections. The new law goes into effect on October 1, 2007, and will cover all workplaces, with a few narrow exemptions. |
| Mississippi | The Mississippi Smoke Free Families Act (HB316) to create smokefree worksites and the Mississippi Smoke Free Family Restaurant Act (HB314) to create smokefree dining in age restricted areas died in January, 2007. Multiple Senate and House bills to create smokefree environments died during the 2007 legislative sessions. |
| Missouri | No statewide smokefree activity. Smokefree air ordinances went in to effect this year in the cities of Lee’s Summit, Columbia and Independence. |
| Montana | In October 2005, all restaurants became smokefree. Bars and casinos where food receipts are limited to 40 percent will become smokefree on October 1, 2009. Other smokefree areas include, all businesses public and private, schools, nursing homes, arenas and public transportation. |
| Nebraska | Smokefree legislation was signed into law on February 26, 2008 by Governor Dave Heineman. All workplaces in Nebraska will be smokefree including bars and restaurants effective June 1st, 2009. |
| Nevada | The Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act went into effect on December 8, 2006. The smokefree law includes nearly all worksite and public places, including restaurants. Bars and casinos are exempt from the law. |
| New Hampshire | The New Hampshire Legislature approved legislation which will eliminate smoking in restaurants, cocktail lounges and some other public places. The bill has been sent to Gov. John Lynch, who is expected to sign it into law. |
| New Jersey | New Jersey's Clean Indoor Air Act went into effect April 16, 2006 and requires all workplaces to be smokefree, except casino gambling floors. Efforts are currently underway to make all Atlantic City casinos smokefree. |
| New Mexico | The Dee Johnson Clean Indoor Air Act (HB283) was signed into law on March 13, 2007. This law prohibits smoking in any indoor workplace or indoor public place, including restaurants & bars, or in buses, taxicabs or other means of public transit. |
| New York | The state ensures smokefree regulations in most businesses, including restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, dance clubs and pool halls as of July 24, 2003. |
| North Carolina | A bill filed on February 20, 2007 would prohibit smoking in public places, restaurants and workplaces across North Carolina. House majority leader Rep. Hugh Holliman (D-Davidson County) is sponsoring the bill. Tobacco manufacturing or processing facilities, private clubs, bars, and places of employment used for medical or scientific research are exempt from the bill. Also this year, S124 was introduced to repeal preemption and authorize local governments to adopt laws, rules, or ordinances regulating smoking in public places. This bill repeals North Carolina’s preemption for smoking laws and restores local control. |
| North Dakota | Since August 1, 2005 North Dakota's smokefree legislation ensures smokefree public areas and places of employment, excluding bars. This year, SB2164, a bill to make all restaurants and bars smokefree failed. |
| Ohio | The Ohio Smokefree Workplace Act became law on December 7th, 2006. Voters approved the smokefree ballot measure with 59% of the vote. A Tobacco Industry backed proposal was defeated by 64% of the voters. This law makes nearly all public places and workplaces smokefree including restaurants and bars. |
| Oklahoma | No statewide smokefree activity. Oklahoma state law requires workplaces, excluding bars, bingo parlors, and retail tobacco stores, to be smokefree or to have an enclosed, separately-ventilated smoking rooms. This year, HB 1322 was introduced to amend the current Smoking in Public Places and Indoor Workplaces Act to allow restaurants to choose to allow smoking in their entirety. |
| Oregon | The Oregon Legislature has passed legislation to make all workplaces, including restaurants and bars, smokefree. Governor Ted Kulongoski has said he will sign the legislation into law, and it is scheduled for implementation in January 2009. |
| Pennsylvania | Governor Ed Rendell announced on January 17, 2007 a health care plan that included legislation to create a "smokefree" state by prohibiting smoking in public places, work places, bars and restaurants. On January 29, 2007 the Clean Indoor Air Act (SB 246) was introduced by Senators Greenleaf, Erickson, O'Pake, Corman, Washington, C. Williams, Logan AND Orie. The Clean Indoor Air Act prohibits smoking in public places and workplaces, including restaurants and bars. |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island workplaces and restaurants went smokefree on March 1, 2005. On May 4, 2005 bars became smokefree. |
| South Carolina | On January 9, 2007 Senator Elliott introduced S209. This bill prohibits smoking in restaurants, bars, and some other workplaces, including retail stores and businesses open to the public for commercial purposes.Other bills, S271 and H3119, allow for multiple exemptions including indoor areas where private functions are being held. A 100% smokefree workplace law in the Town of Sullivan’s Island, the first of its kind in South Carolina, has been upheld against a legal challenge based on preemption, thus paving the way for other South Carolina communities to exercise local control and enact their own smokefree laws. |
| South Dakota | On July 1, 2002, South Dakota became smokefree in most workplaces and some restaurants. This year, SB196, a bill to make all restaurants and bars smokefree was defeated. |
| Tennessee | Passing the House and Senate in May, Tennessee's Clean Indoor Air law covers worplaces and restaurants. |
| Texas | State Senator Rodney Ellis, (D-Houston) introduced SB 368 on January 31, 2007. His bill makes all enclosed public places and places of employment smokefree, including and within 15 feet of entrances/windows of places required to be smokefree. SB 368/HB 9 was Referred to Health & Human Services Committee on February 21st. |
| Utah | The Governor of Utah signed into law an update to Utah's Clean Air Act. The update ensured smokefree worksites as of May 1, 2006 and bars as of January 1, 2009. Restaurants in Utah have been smokefree since January 1, 1995. |
| Vermont | Vermont became smokefree in bars and restaurants on September 1, 2005. Worksites in Vermont went smokefree on July 1, 1988. |
| Virginia | This year, multiple bills (HB 1952, HB 2005, HB 2245, HB 2689, SB 1161) failed to get support in the Virginia Legislature. Each bill related to the Virginia Indoor Clean Air Act that would make all workplaces, restaurants and bars smokefree. Two bills are still being considered in the legislature, HB 2067 and HB 2422, but contain tobacco industry backed provisions for ventilation and signage (red light, green light). |
| Washington | Washington voted to become entirely smokefree, including restaurants, bars and casinos on November 8, 2005. |
| Washinton, D.C. | Washington, D.C.'s smokefree air ordinance took effect on January 1, 2007. The law creates smokefree environments in almost all public places and workplaces including restaurants and bars. |
| West Virginia | No statewide smokefree activity. In West Virginia, 39 counties have passed some type smokefree ordinances protecting workers from secondhand smoke. |
| Wisconsin | Governor Jim Doyle announced his support for a statewide smokefree air law in January. A bill has not been introduced in the 2007 legislative session. The Wisconsin Restaurant Association voted at its January 30, 2007 meeting to support a statewide smokefree law, without any exemptions for taverns or bar areas in restaurants. The Tavern League, which lobbies on behalf of the state’s bar owners, would like an exemption for taverns. |
| Wyoming | On February 28, 2007, HB 0141 sponsored by Rep. Dan Zwonitzer (R-Cheyenne) died in a legislative committee before it could reach the floor for a vote. Another bill sponsored by Rep. Zwonitzer (HB 238) will affirm local control over smokefree laws for counties. The bill included multiple exemptions including an opt-out for counties and smoking in private rooms. |
In Michigan
Many counties in Michigan have already taken a step in the right direction for smokefree air. The following cities and counties have adopted smokefree worksites and public places regulations:
| County/Locality | Population |
|---|---|
| Alger County | 9,662 |
| Antrim County | 24,500 |
| Berrien County | 162,453 |
| Calhoun County | 137,985 |
| Chippewa County (including Sault Ste. Marie) | 38,791 |
City of Detroit |
911,402 |
| City of Grand Rapids | 195,601 |
| Traverse City | 14,532 |
| Emmet County | 33,277 |
| Genesee County (including Flint) | 443,947 |
| Gogebic | 17,370 |
| Houghton | 36,016 |
| Ingham County (including Lansing) | 280,073 |
| Lenawee County | 101,786 |
| Mackinac County | 11,331 |
Marquette County |
84,615 |
Midland County |
82,874 |
| Otsego County | 24,513 |
| Ottawa County | 238,314 |
| Saginaw County | 209,062 |
| Schoolcraft County | 8,819 |
| St. Clair County | 164,235 |
| Washtenaw County (including Ann Arbor) | 339,191 |
| Wayne County (not including Detroit) | 1,104,800 |
Around the World
On March 2004, Ireland became the first country in Europe to create smokefree environments in workplaces, restaurants and bars which set the tone for many other countries to follow. A detailed timeline is listed below.
| 2004 | |
|---|---|
| March | Ireland implemented a nationwide smokefree workplace law, including pubs, bars and restaurants. Polls show high rates of acceptance and compliance. Uganda creates smokefree environments in all enclosed public places. |
| April | Malta created legislation to create smokefree public places. |
| May | India ensures smokefree public places and advertising in media, as well as prohibits sales to minors, after statistics showed smoking killed 2,200 people in India per day. |
| June | Norway extended smokefree workplace legislation to bars and restaurants. |
| November | Scotland announced plans to implement smokefree workplace legislation in all enclosed public spaces by early 2006. The British government announced plans for smokefree workplace legislation across England and Wales starting in 2006. Russia's upper house of parliament approved a bill to create smokefree public places. The bill covers public transport and the workplace, and prevents the sale of tobacco in health and sports venues, cultural centers, and near schools. |
| December | New Zealand extends smokefree workplace legislation to pubs, clubs, restaurants and school grounds. The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan created smokefree public places, including restaurants and bars. |
| 2005 | |
| January | Italy implemented smokefree workplace legislation in all enclosed public spaces, including restaurants and bars. Vietnam created smokefree environments in government buildings and public buildings, including stations and ports on public transportation routes. |
| February | Cuba ensures smokefree theaters, shops, buses, taxis and other enclosed public areas. |
| March | Parliament in Bangladesh passed smokefree workplace law in places such as schools, offices, libraries, hospitals and airports. It also prohibits advertisement of tobacco products in cinemas, newspapers and on television. |
| April | Afghanistan's western Heart province
ensures smokefree government
buildings, becoming the first region in the
country to take such action. Armenia ensures smokefree environments in hospitals, cultural and education institutions and public transportation. Australia, created smokefree Commonwealth workplaces, aircraft, airports, interstate trains and federally registered motor coaches. Businesses in Belgium are given the right to require their employees to work longer if they stop for smoking breaks during the working day. China announced that all venues shall be smokefree at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. |
| June | Sweden implemented smokefree workplace legislation in all workplaces, including restaurants and bars. |
| December | Spain passed a smokefree workplace law which includes public transportation, theaters, bars and resaurants. |
| 2006 | |
| January | Bermuda became smokefree on April 1, 2006. The smokefree legislation covers all Bermuda workplaces, restaurants and bars. |
| March | Uruguay became smokefree on March 1, 2006. The legislation created smokefree environments in all enclosed public places, from bars and restaurants to office buildings and shopping malls. Puerto Rico's smokefreee law includes enclosed public spaces, including restaurants, bars and the island's nearly two dozen casinos. It also forbids smoking in private cars with children under 13 inside. Scotland passed legislation to create smokefree public places on March 26, 2006. |
| October | France implemented smokefree regulation that took effect in February, 2007. The law covers all workplaces, including bars and restaurants which are required to go smokefree by January, 2008. |
| November | British Virgin Islands approved a smokefree regulation November 15th which covers all enclosed public places, including bars and restaurants, or within 50 feet of a door or window to such a space. |
2007 |
|
| January | Belgium has had smokefree restaurants since January 1, 2007. Belgium also has a clean indoor air law which regulates smoking in all enclosed workplaces. Hong Kong now prohibits smoking in all indoor workplaces, as well as restaurants, parks and beaches. However, bars, nightclubs and mahjong parlors are exempt until 2009. Lithuania has clean indoor air in bars, restaurants, cafes, clubs and discotheques. Smoking in other public places will be prohibited beginning January 1, 2008. |
| April | Wales becomes the second country in the United Kingdom to ban smoking in enclosed public spaces. |
| May | In Portugal , Parliament approves a law banning smoking in almost all indoor public places. In Dubai, smokefree government buildings, schools and colleges is the first step in a plan to curb smoking throughout the Gulf Arab trade and tourism hub by the end of 2009 |
| June | Finland & Iceland both prohibit smoking in restaurants, cafes and bars. Estonia enacts clean indoor air in bars, restaurants, coffeeshops and nightclubs. |
| July | In England all workplaces including restaurants and bars went smokefree on July 1, 2007. In Australia, smokefree laws covering pubs and clubs takes effect in the two most populous states, New South Wales and Victoria. |
| August | Denmark made all public buildings and private businesses, including restaurants and bars, smokefree as of August 15, 2007. Beginning January 1, 2008 the Netherlands will adopt smokefree laws in all public places and Hungary will follow the trend in 2009. |
2008 |
|
|---|---|
| January | A smokefree law in Turkey was approved by the country's parliament on January 3, 2008. The law covers all enclosed public places, including restaurants, bars and public transportation. The law will be implemented 18 months after President Abdullah Gul signs it into law. |
| February | Mexico voted to prohibit smoking in bars, restaurants and other enclosed public spaces . |
| April | Beijing will prohibit smoking in most public places starting May 1. |