Other Smoke-free Laws and Polices

While the Smoking in Public Places Law helps protect our health in all indoor public and workplaces, some areas continue to put people at risk for the toxic effects of secondhand smoke. In these cases, communities, businesses and organizations often choose to adopt more comprehensive smoke-free policies to protect everyone’s health, both indoors and out.

Whether to improve the health of a workforce or to clean the air for those most at risk, like children and seniors, there are many reasons that people choose to adopt more comprehensive rules. Sometimes it’s as simple as guaranteeing that people walking between buildings on a business or college campus don’t have to breathe smoke-filled air. One common example is hospitals, where maintaining strong public health is of the utmost importance.

Hospitals and health care centers

Around the state and the nation, increasing numbers of hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers are choosing to adopt 100 percent smoke-free policies to promote good health in the communities they serve. For example, Mayo Clinic and SSM Healthcare are two national hospitals that have adopted comprehensive smoke-free policies on their campuses.

Americans for Non-Smokers’ Rights estimates that more than 1,219 state hospitals around the country have adopted 100 percent smoke-free policies. In Washington state, the following hospitals and health care centers have gone smoke-free:

  • Kadlec Medical Center  
  • Peace Health   
  • Jefferson Healthcare   
  • Harrison Hospital      
  • Mid-Valley Hospital in Omak    
  • Skagit Valley Hospital 
  • Cascade Valley Hospital
  • Providence Everett Medical Center
  • Stevens Hospital   
  • Othello Community Hospital     
  • Moses Lake Clinic      
  • Virginia Mason 
  • Swedish Hospital       
  • Northwest Hospital     
  • Harborview Hospital    
  • Mason General Hospital 
  • Group Health Cooperative       
  • Multicare, Franciscan & Good Samaritan Hospitals       
  • St. Joseph Hospital     

Colleges and Universities

Citing the positive outcomes for all community members – including health, productivity, and reduced insurance costs – many colleges and universities around the country have begun prohibiting smoking on their campuses.

Campus policies range from smoke-free educational buildings, to smoke-free residence buildings, to 100 percent smoke-free campuses. Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights estimates that at least 110 campuses around the nation have comprehensive smoke-free policies in place with no exemptions, including small liberal arts schools and large state schools.

In Washington state, both the University of Washington and Washington State University have policies prohibiting smoking in campus residential buildings. In November of 2005, Clark College became the first college in Washington to adopt a 100 percent smoke-free policy.

Cars

Due to the small interior space of a car, an increased concentration of toxic secondhand smoke can be produced quickly. That’s why some states – including California, Louisiana, and Arkansas – have already passed laws banning smoking in cars with children present. The Washington State Legislature has considered a similar law as well. Visit the Washington State Legislature’s Web site to find updates on current bills under consideration.

Children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of secondhand smoke in such a small space. Read more to learn about the harmful effects of smoking in cars.

Parks

Around Washington state, many local communities have implemented smoke-free policies in public parks. Parks are natural places to seek smoke-free policies, as they are community centers where people gather to enjoy the benefits of "clean and healthy" air.

Read more to find out what communities have done to clean up the air in their public parks and to see a list of smoke-free parks in the state.

Tobacco-free businesses

Though the Smoking in Public Places Law is already in place in Washington state, some workplaces have expanded on the smoke-free law with a more comprehensive tobacco-free policy. We all know that eliminating tobacco consumption improves public health and saves lives, but from a business standpoint, studies have shown that healthier employees suffer less absenteeism and file fewer workers’ compensation claims. These employees also cost less to insure and reduce turnover rates.

In January of 2008, the Boeing Company announced that it would be making its U.S.-based operations 100 percent tobacco-free. The policy includes a ban on products such as pipes, cigars, cigarettes, chew, snuff, snus (spitless tobacco) and clove cigarettes. By adopting a tobacco-free workplace policy, Boeing demonstrated its commitment to the health and well being of all its employees.

Here are a few tips for businesses interested in establishing a tobacco-free policy:

  • Incorporate feedback from across the company before implementing a tobacco-free policy. Conduct focus groups comprised of both smokers and nonsmokers.
  • Several months before implementing the tobacco-free policy, offer tobacco cessation support for employees who choose to quit. Visit www.quitline.com to learn more about tobacco cessation or to find a local quit resource.
  • Promote your business going tobacco-free, and inform employees of the change well in advance of implementation.
  • Make changes to facilitate a tobacco-free environment. Remove ashtrays, matches, "Smoking Section" signs, and other smoking paraphernalia.
  • For local assistance going tobacco-free, contact your county health department.




  • Last Updated: 06/25/08

    Print Friendly

    This Web site contains information on the revised Clean Indoor Air Act (RCW 70.160). It is not legal advice. This information cannot be considered as a substitute for legal advice from and representation by a qualified attorney.

    Reference in this Web site to any specific commercial products, process, service, manufacturer, or company does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Health (DOH). Links to external Web sites are provided because they may contain relevant information and resources. These external Web sites are not maintained by DOH and the Department takes no responsibility for the views that may be represented, or the accuracy, propriety, or legality of any material contained on the sites. Read More...

^Back to Top