Why Smoke-Free Bans Are Important to You!

According to the American Lung Association, every year in the U.S. over 392,000 people die from tobacco-caused disease, making it the leading cause of preventable death. Another 50,000 people die from exposure to secondhand smoke. Smoke-free bans in the last decade have become more and more popular due to all the alarming statistics for secondhand smoke.

In 2009, the US Navy investigated secondhand smoke levels aboard their submarines. According to their findings, "there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Non-smokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke increase their risk of developing heart and lung disease." On April 8, 2010 the US Navy announced their submarines will be going Smoke - Free in 2010 to eliminate secondhand smoke risks. This is one of the first smoking bans effective on a government level. Now the United States government has yet to try to enact a federal smoking ban nationwide. Smoking bans are entirely decided, implemented and enforced by state and local government. According to the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation, as of October 2009, 71% of the US population lives under a ban on smoking in "workplaces and/or restaurants, and/or bars, by either state, commonwealth or local law, " though only 41.2% live under bans that consist of all workplaces, bars and restaurants. Some might say 41% doesn't seem like it could effect me but an additional three states in 2010 are implementing smoke free ban in public places.

Since there is no universal federal law on no smoking, following the right protocol can become very confusing. Smoking regulations vary state by state. Some states have comprehensive no-smoking laws already on the books, while some states are still catching up. As of March 2010, 27 states and Washington D.C. have passed laws that prohibit smoking in almost all public places and workplaces which also include restaurants and bars.

Some states have specific no-smoking signs that are required by state law. Size, color, material and wording are not consistent from state to state. Penalties, violations and tickets are common to enforce smoke-free bans. Be confident you are complying with your specific state's laws and don't have to worry about fines.