Smoking ban information
- File a smoking complaint
- How are we doing?
- About the smoking ban
- Educational materials & toolkit
- Model Tobacco Free Workplace Policies
- Print your own no smoking sign
- Resources to help you quit smoking
- Thank the businesses you visit for being smoke-free
- Press releases about the smoking ban
- Contact information
- Frequently asked questions
How are we doing?
96.5% of Washoe County's permitted businesses are in compliance with the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act. Washoe County's smoking rates are also continuing to fall. At 18.7%, the smoking rate in Washoe County is lower than both the state and the nation for the second year in a row. The Washoe County District Health Department would like to acknowledge these business owners for making our community a healthier place to live!
About the smoking ban
On November 7, 2006, Nevada voters approved the passing of Question 5, also known as the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act (NCIAA) (PDF, 26 KB). On December 8, 2006, the ban became statewide law. Smoking is now prohibited in all indoor spaces in Nevada, except: areas of casinos that prohibit children; stand-alone bars, taverns, and saloons that do not serve food; strip clubs and brothels; retail tobacco stores; private residences not used for child care or health care; and hotel and motel rooms if allowed by the operator.
Educational materials & toolkit
- District Health Officer's letter to business owners (PDF, 50 KB)
- Wording of the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act (PDF, 26 KB)
- Guide for Bars and Restaurants (PDF, 109 KB) (Spanish version, PDF, 108 KB)
- Guide for Childcare Facilities (PDF, 108 KB) (Spanish version, PDF, 104 KB)
- Guide for Employers (PDF, 111 KB) (Spanish version, PDF, 112 KB)
- Model Tobacco Free Workplace Policy (PDF, 20 KB) (Spanish version - PDF, 20 KB)
- Print your own no smoking sign (PDF, 26 KB) (Spanish version - PDF, 52 KB)
- Print your own smoke free home sign (PDF, 464 KB)
- General Frequently Asked Questions about the ban (PDF, 64.5 KB) (Spanish version - PDF, 65.9 KB)
Thank the businesses you visit for being smoke-free
Thank your local business owners for running a smoke-free business by leaving one of these cards (PDF, 56 KB) during your next visit. (Spanish version - PDF, 56 KB)
Press releases about the smoking ban
- 12/11/06 - Smoking Ban Becomes Law; Washoe County Is A Healthier Place To Live
- 5/31/07 - Salsa Without The Smoke: Washoe County Celebrates Six Months Of Clean Indoor Air
- 12/03/07 - Happy Birthday Clean Air
Contact information
- For complaints, call 775-328-2434 or fill out the smoking complaint form.
- Enforcement and compliance questions: 775-328-2434
- For questions about the public health impact of the ban: 775-328-2442
- Education or assistance with the new law (e.g., presentations, brochures, etc.): edixon@washoecounty.us
- Media contact: 775-328-6140
- Why was the smoking ban passed?
- When did the smoking ban go into effect?
- What changes does the smoking ban make?
- How do I comply with the law if I am a bar?
- How do I comply with the law if I am a childcare facility?
- How do I comply with the law if I am an employer?
- How do I comply with the law if I am a restaurant?
- Where can I get a printable no smoking sign?
- Whom do I contact to complain about smoking violations?
- How will the ban be enforced?
- What are the penalties?
- What if I have more questions about the ban?
- Where can I get more information on quitting smoking?
- What is happening with the court cases against the smoking ban?
- How will the ban improve the health of Washoe County?
- How have smoking bans in other communities affected business owners?
- What will it cost business owners to comply with the new law?
- What do I do if someone is smoking indoors in a facility where smoking is now illegal?
- Where can I get more information about tobacco and secondhand smoke?
- I smoke, so how does the smoking ban apply to me?
- Why is the Health Department involved in the smoking ban?
- If the law refers to "public places," then why is smoking banned in businesses that are privately owned?
- What is "smoking-related paraphernalia"?
- Are businesses in Washoe County complying with the smoking ban?
- Can a business allow smoking during certain times of the day?
- Four ways to ask smokers to "take it outside":
