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Clean Indoor Air Law
Why Have a Clean Indoor Air Law?
The Clean Indoor Air Law protects Missourians from the harmful effects of
secondhand smoke. 72% of Missourians are nonsmokers. In 1995, 92% of Missouri
adults favored restricting smoking in public places. (Missouri Department of
Health Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Study, 1995) In 1992, 93% of Missouri
adults favored restricting smoking in the workplace. (Missouri Department of
Health Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Study, 1992)
What is the Missouri Clean Indoor Air Law?
The Missouri Clean Indoor Air Law states that a person shall not smoke in a
public place or public meeting area except in a designated smoking area. Public
places such as retail businesses, job sites, restaurants, and publicly-owned
facilities must adhere to the law. Smoking and non-smoking areas must be clearly
designated by prominently displayed signs. If a proprietor chooses to establish
a smoking area, up to 30% of the public area may be set aside for smoking. It is
NOT mandatory to have a smoking area! If the proprietor establishes a smoking
area, seating arrangements, available ventilation systems, and physical barriers
should be used to isolate designated smoking areas. Bars, taverns, bowling
alleys, billiard parlors, and restaurants with 50 seats or fewer where
conspicuously posted signs state that “Non-smoking Areas are Unavailable” are
exempt from the law.
Violations and Penalties
Those who smoke in a nonsmoking area are in violation of the law. A
proprietor or other person in charge who permits smoking in a nonsmoking area
also is violating the law. Sections 560.016 and 560.021 of the Revised Missouri
Statutes specify the penalty for violations. The maximum fine is $200 for an
individual and $500 for a corporation. Complaints against violators can be made
to local law enforcement agencies. They may issue a citation. There is no fee
for filing a complaint. Municipalities and counties may pass more stringent laws
and designate alternative enforcement procedures.
REASONS TO BE A SMOKE-FREE BUSINESS
- It costs little or no money to adopt a
smoke-free policy!
- Smoke-free
policies protect your health, the health of your employees, and the health of
your patrons.
-
You'll help influence young people in a positive way by helping to decrease
smoking in public places.
- Furniture last longer-no more burn holes.
- Fire danger is reduced. Less frequent
cleaning and replacing of draperies, carpets, and air conditioning or heating
filters.
- Eliminating
secondhand smoke exposure can improve the health of employees in as little as a
month- even among employees who smoke.
- You may increase your patronage.
- Nonsmokers won't avoid your business due to
smokiness.
Employee Morale
An employer sends a clear message to employees and the community with a
smoke-free policy: We care about the health and safety of our employees.
Eliminating secondhand smoke in the workplace and decreasing smoking by
employees can reduce healthcare costs and increase years of productive life.
These two factors alone affect the bottom line for companies.
Keys to a Successful Smoke-Free Policy
- ONCE MANAGEMENT MAKES THE DECISION TO GO
SMOKE-FREE, INVOLVE EMPLOYEES IN PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING THE NEW POLICY. THE NEW POLICY.
- EXPECT SUCCESS!
- EMPLOYEES WILL PICK UP ON AN OPTIMISTIC ATTITUDE
FROM MANAGEMENT.
- ALLOW TIME FOR THE TRANSITION.
- FOCUS ON SMOKE, NOT SMOKERS, AS
THE PROBLEM.
- OFFER SUPPORT PROGRAMS TO HELP MOTIVATED EMPLOYEES STOP SMOKING.
Secondhand
Smoke Facts:
Children exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to get colds,
allergies, asthma, and ear infections.
Numerous studies have shown that exposure
to secondhand smoke increases the risk of lung cancer, causes serious respiratory
problems, and aggravated the condition of people with cardiovascular disease.
Secondhand
smoke is listed as a Group A carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
a rating used only for substances proven to cause cancer in humans.
There is no
safe exposure level to secondhand smoke.
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