Smoke-Free Air Act Initiative

Effective April 15, 2006, indoor public places and workplaces across the State were made smoke free. New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act went into effect to ensure workers have a safe workplace and that all non-smokers, including children and senior citizens, can breathe smoke-free air in the public places they visit. The law affects the following types of indoor public places and workplaces:

· Any enclosed location at which a person performs any service or labor
· Restaurants and bars
· Public transportation systems
· Child care centers
· Health care facilities, patient waiting rooms and nursing homes
· Sports facilities including racetracks and bowling alleys
· Theatres, clubs, concert halls, public libraries, museums, art galleries
· Shopping malls and retail stores
· Parking facilities, lobbies, elevators
· Lodging – hotels, motels, etc. (smoking is allowed in up to 20% of guest rooms)
· Bingo facilities

The Atlantic County Division of Public Health is ready to assist the public and business owners alike in providing information, education and enforcement of this law. A printed version of the Smoke-Free Air Act, brochures, signs and other information about the law is available at www.smokefree.nj.gov.