Smoke Free Air Act Takes Effect
The Iowa Smoke free Air Act goes into effect
(July 1). The Iowa Department of Public Health has just released the
administrative rules that tell citizens and businesses how to comply
with the law. I would encourage you to go to this website --
www.IowaSmokefreeAir.gov
-- for complete information on the law and how it is being administered
in the state of Iowa.
Essentially, Iowa's new law prohibits
smoking in any enclosed public places and workplaces, as well as in some
outdoor areas. Outdoor areas where smoking is banned include restaurant
patios, sports stadiums, school grounds and the grounds of public
buildings. Smoking is prohibited in private homes when used as a child
care facility, a child care home or a health care provider location.
There are a few, very specific exceptions to the law; consult the IDPH
website for more information.
Here is what businesses and employers
must do to comply with the law:
1.) Post "no smoking" signs at
every entrance to a public
place and place of employment
where smoking is not allowed, and
in every vehicle owned,
leased or provided by an employer
for company business. These signs must display three items: a.) the
international "no smoking" symbol or the words "No Smoking"; b.) the
Smoke free Air Act website,
www.IowaSmokefreeAir.gov
; and c.) the Smoke free Air Act Helpline, 1-888-944-2247. The signs are
required to be at least 24 square inches in size and the type must be in
a legible font. Signs in vehicles must be visible from the exterior of
the vehicle.
Here is an example of an acceptable sign:
Please note:
You can download this sign for
FREE
at the IDPH Smokefree Air Act website. There are already vendors
offering to sell you these signs, but it's not necessary for you to buy
them. Follow this link:
http://www.iowasmokefreeair.gov/resource.aspx to
a page that allows you to click, download and print the signs in a
variety of sizes. If you need help printing out the signs, please give
me a call and I'll be glad to print some out for you.
2.) Inform all employees about the
provisions of the Smoke free Air Act. Make sure your employees know this
is now the law.
3.) Remove all ashtrays from public
places where smoking is permitted.
4.) Inform any individual smoking in your
business that the individual is violating the Smoke free Air Act, and
request that the stop individual stop smoking immediately.
Individuals cited for smoking in a
non-smoking area may receive a citation and civil fine of $50 from a law
enforcement official. Businesses found to be in violation of the law may
receive a civil fine of $100 for a first offense, with fines increasing
upon subsequent offenses.
If your employees go outdoors to
smoke, please remind them that no smoking is allowed on the grounds of
any public building. This would include the sidewalks, lawn and benches
surrounding the Lucas County Courthouse. See the email we're forwarding
you from Sheriff Jim Baker regarding smoking on the square during the
upcoming Fourth of July celebration.
If you have any questions about the law
or its implementation, I urge you to consult the IDPH website (see link
above). If I can be of further assistance to you, please give me a call.
REQUEST A SONG
