On March 19, 2012, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels signed into law a statewide smoke-free air policy prohibiting smoking in most public places and many workplaces.

Indiana's statewide smoke-free air law began July 1, 2012. The smoke-free air proposal narrowly passed after extensive compromises expanded the number of exemptions to include bars, casinos, private clubs such as fraternal and veterans’ organizations, and retail tobacco shops.

The statewide law does allow Indiana cities and counties to determine whether a local smoke-free air law should include bars, casinos, private clubs such as fraternal and veterans’ organizations, retail tobacco shops, and electronic cigarettes. Each city and county may pass a stronger smoke-free air law. Be sure to check your local laws.

Policy Facts

• The statewide policy went into effect on July 1, 2012.
• Smoking a lit cigarette, cigar, pipe or other tobacco smoking equipment is not permitted indoors, except in businesses not included in the policy. The policy does not address the use of electronic cigarettes.
• Businesses not covered by the policy include: bars and taverns, casinos and off-track betting facilities, cigar bars, hookah bars, tobacco retail shops, private clubs whose members vote to allow smoking and home-based businesses whose only employees are family members.
• The smoke-free air policy sets a minimum standard for indoor workplaces and public places where smoking is regulated. The statewide law defines where people can and cannot smoke in communities where a current policy does not exist.
• A city or county may pass a stronger law than the statewide law by including additional smoking regulations.
• With this policy, Indiana joins 35 other states in protecting workers from secondhand smoke in the workplace. 15 states have a comprehensive policy that covers all workplaces, including restaurants, bars and casinos.
• Businesses covered by the policy must post signs stating “smoking is prohibited within eight feet of this entrance” or use similar language. Signs must be visible at each public entrance.
• Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission, The State Department of Health, local health departments, Homeland Security’s fire and building safety division and law enforcement officers may enforce the policy.
• A violation of the policy is considered either a Class A or Class B infraction, depending on the nature of the violation. An infraction is a violation of a law that does not subject the person to a criminal conviction or jail time.  A speeding ticket would be an example of an infraction.
• For questions please visit the faq page.

Help

For help with quitting smoking, call the Indiana Tobacco Quitline, 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). Quitline services are free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.