January 29, 2009

For more information, contact Marilyn Zweibahmer, Community Prevention Specialist, Helping Services, at 563-387-1720 ext. 12

Is your business in compliance?

On July 1st when Iowa’s Smokefree air act went into effect there was quite a bit of uproar and celebration.  Now that seven months have passed it seems that there is still a need for businesses to have accurate information about what they need to do to be complaint with this new law.  Even if your business was already smokefree there are a few things you need to do.   Ignorance of the law is no excuse and businesses that are in violation are subject to fines and penalties.

The Smokefree Air Act requires the posting of “no smoking” signs at every entrance to a public place or place of employment and in every vehicle that is owned, leased or provided by an employer. These signs must include three items:  The international “No smoking” symbol or the words “No Smoking”, the Smokefree Air Act website www.IowaSmokeFreeAir.gov, and the helpline phone number, 1-888-944-2247.   

An employer or business owner or manager must not permit smoking in areas where smoking is prohibited by the Smokefree Air Act.  This includes work areas, private offices, conference and meeting rooms, employee lounges and cafeterias, hallways and vehicles provided by the employer.  Some requirements vary depending upon the type of establishment, for example there are additional rules for hotels, restaurants, public parks, and healthcare facilities.  More information about the Smokefree Air Act, including the law itself, the administrative rules, Smokefree Air fact sheets, and signage requirements are available on the website the Iowa Department of Public Health has created at www.IowaSmokeFreeAir.gov.

 Helping Services for Northeast Iowa has free signs available that they are providing through a grant from the Iowa Department of Public Health Division of Tobacco Use Prevention and Control.  Those signs can be found at local Chamber of Commerce Offices or by calling Marilyn at 563-387-1720.  Marilyn can also answer any questions you may have about the Smokefree Air Act and the requirements for your business.

OR

Those signs are available at the Manchester Chamber of Commerce or by calling Clare Jones at 563-582-5317.  Clare can also answer any questions you may have about the Smokefree Air Act and the requirements for your business.