Workplace Smoking Rules in Iowa
Employers in Iowa must comply with these state rules regulating smoking in the workplace.
Smoking is prohibited in public places and all enclosed places within places of employment.
Employers covered: Employers with one or more employees.
Written policy requirements" Employers subject to the Smoke free Air Act must communicate to all existing employees and to all prospective employees upon application for employment the smoking prohibitions.
Posting requirements: "No Smoking" signs or the international "No Smoking" symbol must be conspicuously posted at every entrance to a public place, place of employment, area declared a nonsmoking place, or outdoor area. Additionally, a "no smoking" sign or the international "no smoking" symbol must be placed in every vehicle that constitutes a public place, place of employment, or area declared a nonsmoking place.
No smoking areas: A person must not smoke in public places, all enclosed areas within places of employment including but not limited to work areas, private offices, conference and meeting rooms, classrooms, auditoriums, employee lounges and cafeterias, hallways, medical facilities, restrooms, elevators, stairways and stairwells, and vehicles owned, leased, or provided by the employer.
In addition, smoking is prohibited in any of the following outdoor areas:
- the seating areas of outdoor sports arenas, stadiums, amphitheaters and other entertainment venues
- outdoor seating or serving areas of restaurants
- public transit stations, platforms, and shelters under the authority of the state
- school grounds, including parking lots, athletic fields, playgrounds, tennis courts, and any other outdoor area under the control of a public or private educational facility, including inside any vehicle located on school grounds
- the grounds of any public buildings owned, leased, or operated by or under the control of the state government, including the grounds of a private residence of any state employee any portion of which is open to the public
Permitted smoking areas: The Iowa smoking prohibitions do not apply to:
- private residences (unless used as a child care facility, child care home, or a health care provider location)
- hotel and motel rooms that are designated as smoking rooms
- retail tobacco stores
- private and semiprivate rooms in long-term care facilities occupied by one or more individuals, all of whom are smokers and have requested in writing to be placed in a room where smoking is permitted
- private clubs that have no employees
- outdoor areas that are places of employment (except those areas where smoking is specifically prohibited by law)
- limousines under private hire
- vehicles owned, leased, or provided by a private employer that are for the sole use of the driver and are not used by more than one person in the course of employment
- an enclosed area within a place of employment or public place that provides a smoking cessation program or a medical or scientific research or therapy program (if smoking is an integral part of the program)
- farm premises
- the Iowa veterans home
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