Another beautiful day in the Truckee Meadows!
Another beautiful day in the Truckee Meadows!
Additional Pages
Spit Tobacco .: Smoking Ban .: Smoking Rates .: Quit Smoking Programs

Be Tobacco Free

Secondhand Smoke

  • "The scientific evidence indicates that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke."Surgeon General report, 2006
  • Secondhand smoke, also called environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a combination of the smoke from the burning end of a cigarette and the smoke inhaled by a smoker.
  • Exposure to secondhand smoke occurs anytime a smoker smokes a cigarette, pipe or cigar inside an enclosed area or around another individual. It is dangerous because it contains over 4,000 deadly chemicals that have been proven to cause cancer, among other diseases.
  • Children are especially vulnerable to secondhand smoke. Exposure can cause asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia. It can make colds and respiratory illnesses worse and increase the number of ear infections. Secondhand smoke has also been linked to SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), miscarriages, and low birth weight.
  • Secondhand smoke also harms adults. 30,000 to 60,000 adults die each year from heart disease caused by secondhand smoke and an additional 3,000 non-smokers die from lung cancer.

How Can I Protect Myself From Secondhand Smoke?

  • Make your car and home smoke free.
  • Support businesses and locations that provide 100% smoke free environment.

How Can I Quit Smoking?

What Are The Benefits Of Quitting?

  • 20 minutes after quitting...your heart rate drops.
  • 12 hours after quitting...carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
  • 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting...your heart attack risk begins to drop, and your lung function begins to improve.
  • 1 to 9 months after quitting...your coughing and shortness of breath decreases.
  • 1 year after quitting...your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's.
  • 5 years after quitting...your stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker's 5-15 years after quitting.
  • 10 years after quitting...your lung cancer death rate is about half that of smoker's. Your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases.
  • 15 years after quitting...your risk of coronary heart disease is back to that of a nonsmoker's.

Related Links And Documents

FAQs

Health +
Smoking Ban +
Why was the smoking ban passed?
The ban was passed in order to protect the public from secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke, also called environmental tobacco smoke, is a combination of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar or pipe and the smoke exhaled by smokers.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 substances, many of which are known to cause cancer in humans. In 2006, the U.S. Surgeon General released a comprehensive report stating that there is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure.
When did the smoking ban go into effect?
The smoking ban, known as the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act (NCIAA), became statewide law on December 8, 2006.
What changes does the smoking ban make?
As a result of the voters' mandate, smoking tobacco in any form now is prohibited within indoor places of employment, including, but not limited to: childcare facilities, movie theatres, video arcades; government buildings and public places; malls and retail establishments; all areas of grocery stores; all indoor areas within restaurants; and within school buildings and on school property.

Smoking tobacco is not prohibited in areas within casinos where loitering by minors is already prohibited by state law; stand-alone bars, taverns, and saloons that do not require a permit to serve food; strip clubs and brothels; retail tobacco stores; private residences, including those which may serve as an office workplace, except if used as a childcare, an adult day care or a health care facility; and hotel and motel rooms, if allowed by the facility operator.

See the full wording of the smoking ban.
How do I comply with the smoking ban if I am a bar?
Please see the guide for restaurants and bars (PDF, 109 KB) for information on compliance.
How do I comply with the smoking ban if I am a childcare facility?
Please see the guide for childcare facilities (PDF, 108 KB) for information on compliance.
How do I comply with the smoking ban if I am an employer?
Please see the guide for employers (PDF, 111 KB) for information on compliance.
How do I comply with the smoking ban if I am a restaurant?
Please see the guide for restaurants and bars (PDF, 109 KB) for information on compliance.
Where can I get a printable no smoking sign?
Whom do I contact to complain about smoking violations?
Please contact Environmental Health Services at 775-328-2434 or fill out the smoking complaint form.
How will the smoking ban be enforced?
Compliance with the ban is the responsibility of the owner, manager or operator of an area where smoking is prohibited. A reasonable effort to prevent smoking should be made by this individual or group of individuals. Health authorities, police officers of cities or towns, sheriffs and their deputies shall, within their respective jurisdictions, enforce the provisions of the ban and shall issue citations for violations of the ban.
What are the penalties of violating the smoking ban?
A person who is found to violate the ban is guilty of a misdemeanor, which generally carries a fine imposed by a judge. In addition, a person who violates this ban is liable for a civil penalty of $100 for each violation.
What if I have more questions about the smoking ban?
Please contact Environmental Health Services at 775-328-2434 with any questions you may have about enforcement and compliance.

For questions about the public health impact of the ban, call 775-328-2442.
Where can I get more information on quitting smoking?
If you smoke and want to quit, see the list of local stop smoking programs.
What is happening with the court cases against the smoking ban?
On December 5, 2006, a group of 20 businesses in Clark County (primarily bar owners and casinos) filed a complaint against the smoking ban in the Eighth Judicial District Court. A temporary restraining order (TRO) was issued that prohibited the Southern Nevada Health District from enforcing the smoking ban at those 20 businesses. The TRO did not cancel the law. The TRO was lifted on December 19, 2006. On January 23, 2007, at the request of the state Attorney General, the Eighth Judicial District Court held a hearing on the constitutionality of the smoking ban. The Court ruled that the smoking ban is constitutional. However, the Court removed the law's criminal penalties in Clark County only. In the rest of Nevada, it is legal to implement the law with both civil and criminal penalties.

At this time, the only way the law would change at a statewide level is through the State Supreme Court.
How will the ban improve the health of Washoe County?
Exposure to secondhand smoke has been linked to numerous life-threatening diseases such as heart attack, stroke, and cancer. Eliminating smoking in indoor spaces reduces exposure to secondhand smoke, thereby reducing the occurrence of these chronic illnesses. Research in communities that have implemented indoor smoking bans shows significant improvement to public health after the ban goes into effect. For example, hospital admissions for heart attacks dropped 40 percent in the six months following an indoor smoking ban in Helena, Montana; and, in Pueblo, Colorado, heart attacks declined 30 percent in 18 months after smoking was banned indoors.
How have smoking bans in other communities affected business owners?
Banning smoking in indoor spaces has been shown to have a positive impact for business owners in addition to the general community. Studies have shown that banning smoking in restaurants and bars can boost revenues and increase employment. For example, taxable sales receipts for bars and restaurants have increased every year in California since their smoking ban took effect in 2002. In New York City, tax receipts for restaurant and bars increased 8.7 percent, and employment increased by 10,600 jobs since their 2003 smoking ban went into effect; and, in Florida, retail sales for restaurants, lunchrooms, and catering services increased by 7.3 percent after a 2003 smoking ban. Florida’s sales and employment in the hotel, restaurant, and tourism industries also were not hurt. Smoking bans in places of employment also have been shown to lower employee sick leave usage, health insurance costs, fire insurance rates, and cleaning costs.

Many studies have been conducted about the business impact of indoor smoking bans. For more information about these studies, please visit: www.tobaccoscam.ucsf.edu.
What will it cost business owners to comply with the smoking ban?
The cost to comply with the law will vary for each business, but, in general, there are minimal costs. Employers must clearly and conspicuously post "No Smoking" signs in their facilities at every entrance. They also are required to remove all ashtrays and other smoking paraphernalia from any area where smoking is prohibited. For some businesses, additional costs may be associated with the removal of built-in ashtrays or other smoking-related items.
What do I do if someone is smoking indoors in a facility where smoking is now illegal?
If you see someone smoking indoors in a facility where smoking is now illegal, you should immediately inform the owner and/or manager of the facility. It is the business's responsibility to enforce the new law in their establishment. If the business owner/manager does not respond to your compliant, you also may file a formal compliant with the Health Department. You will need to know the name and address of the location where the violation occurred, and you also will need to provide your name and contact information, as anonymous complaints are not currently accepted.
Where can I get more information about tobacco and secondhand smoke?
For more information about tobacco and secondhand smoke, please visit: http://www.washoecounty.us/health/cchs/tobacco.html or call (775) 328-2442.
I smoke, so how does the smoking ban apply to me?
Smokers play an important role in helping to implement the new law. First and foremost, it is now illegal for you to smoke indoors in a facility where smoking has been banned. Even if a "No Smoking" sign is not displayed there, you are still required by law to refrain from smoking. You should also not bring any ashtrays or items used as ashtrays into a facility where smoking is now banned. You may still smoke anywhere outside of a facility where smoking is now banned indoors. You may also still smoke indoors at the following types of businesses:
  1. Areas within casinos where loitering by minors is already prohibited by state law;
  2. Stand-alone bars, taverns, and saloons that do not require a permit to serve food;
  3. Strip clubs and brothels;
  4. Retail tobacco stores;
  5. Private residences, including those which may serve as an office workplace, except if used as a childcare, an adult day care, or a health care facility; and
  6. Hotel and motel rooms, but only if allowed by the facility operator, so please ask the operator first before smoking there.
If you are uncertain about being able to smoke indoors, please ask the owner and/or manager of the facility first before smoking there. Your compliance with the new law helps protect non-smokers and children from the dangers of secondhand smoke. Your compliance also helps merchants meet their responsibilities under the new law. If you are asked by a representative of the business to refrain from smoking inside their facility, please do as they ask. It is the business's responsibility to enforce the new law in their establishment; if you are found smoking indoors at a location where smoking is now banned, then the business itself could be cited and required to pay a fine. You, too, could be found guilty of a misdemeanor, which generally carries a fine imposed by a judge. A person who violates this ban is also liable for a civil penalty of $100 for each violation.
Why is the Health Department involved in the smoking ban?
Sec. 2 (7) of the new law states that “Health authorities, police officers of cities or towns, sheriffs and their deputies shall, within their respective jurisdictions, enforce the provisions of this Act and shall issue citations for violations of this Act[.]” The District Health Department is the health authority for Washoe County (per NRS 202.2485). Therefore, the District Health Department is required by law to enforce the smoking ban.
If the law refers to "public places," then why is smoking banned in businesses that are privately owned?
Sec. 2 (9) (d) of the new law defines "public places" as "any enclosed areas to which the public is invited or in which the public is permitted." If a business meets this definition, then smoking must be banned there indoors, regardless of how the facility is owned. The law also defines a "place of employment" in Sec. 2 (9) (i) as "any enclosed area under the control of a public or private employer which employees frequent during the course of employment including, but not limited to, work areas, restrooms, hallways, employee lounges, cafeterias, conference and meeting rooms, lobbies and reception areas." Again, if a business meets this definition, then smoking must be banned indoors as described, regardless of how the facility is owned. The law does make an exception in Sec. 2 (3) (e) for private residences that serve as workplaces, except if they are being used as a childcare, adult day care, or health care facility.
What is "smoking-related paraphernalia"?
Ashtrays or any items being used as an ashtray (e.g., beer bottles, coffee mugs, discarded trash, etc.) are considered smoking-related paraphernalia and must be removed from any area where smoking is prohibited. Merchants may still sell tobacco products.
Are businesses in Washoe County complying with the smoking ban?
Staff from the Environmental Health Services Division of the District Health Department have been conducting smoking ban compliance surveys during routine inspections since December 19, 2006. To date, an average 96.5% of permitted facilities were in compliance with the requirements set forth in the NCIAA during routine Environmental Health Services permit inspections.
Can a business allow smoking during certain times of the day?
No. The NCIAA states: “Smoking tobacco in any form is prohibited within indoor places of employment including, but not limited to, the following:
  1. Child care facilities;
  2. Movie theatres;
  3. Video arcades;
  4. Government buildings and public places;
  5. Malls and retail establishments;
  6. All areas of grocery stores; and
  7. All indoor areas within restaurants.”
There are no provisions for allowing smoking, at any time, in any of the above locations.
Four ways to ask smokers to "take it outside":
Asking strangers, and sometimes even friends and family, to smoke outside can sometimes be stressful. It is important to remember that the vast majority of people are respectful and will abide by the law, if they are aware and reminded of it. Below are 4 ways to ask people who smoke to "take it outside". It may not be easy at first but you have the right and the responsibility to avoid secondhand smoke.
  1. As the business owner/manager to enforce the law: I thought this was a non-smoking business. Would you please ask them to smoke outside?
  2. Remind them of the law: Maybe you didn`t know, but Nevada law prohibits smoking in this area/building/business. Smoking is allowed outside.
  3. Be polite: I would like to ask a favor. Would you mind smoking outside? This is a non-smoking area.
  4. It is the smoke, not the smoker that is the problem: Would you not smoke right now? I`d really appreciate it.