Workplace Smoking Rules in Ohio

Employers in Ohio must comply with these state rules regulating smoking in the workplace.

Ohio law does not allow smoking areas in public places and places of employment.

Employers covered: Employers with one or more employees.

Written policy requirements: Employer policy not specified.

Posting requirements: The proprietor of a public place or place of employment must conspicuously post in every public place and place of employment where smoking is prohibited "No Smoking" signs or the international "No Smoking" symbol. Signs must be displayed at each entrance to a public place or place of employment. Signs must be of a sufficient size to be clearly legible to a person of normal vision throughout the areas they are intended to mark. All signs must contain a telephone number for reporting violations.

No smoking areas: A public place is an enclosed area to which the public is invited or in which the public is permitted and that is not a private residence. A place of employment is an enclosed area under the control (direct or indirect) of an employer and which employees use for work or for any other purpose.

A place of employment does not require the presence of employees and includes:

• offices
• meeting rooms
• sales, production and storage areas
• restrooms
• stairways
• hallways
• warehouses
• garages
• vehicles

Permitted smoking areas: The following areas are exempt from Ohio's smoking law:

• private residences, except during the hours of operation as a child care or adult care facility or as a business when others are present
• hotel and motel rooms designated as smoking rooms as long as not more than 20 percent of the rooms are designated as smoking rooms
• certain family-owned and operated places of employment
• designated areas of nursing homes
• certain retail tobacco stores
• outdoor patios physically separated from enclosed areas
• private clubs (under certain conditions)