Business Toolkits Now Available to Assist With Smoke-Free Air Law

With the new Indiana Smoke Free Air Law taking effect July 1, Indiana will join 49 other states in protecting workers and patrons from secondhand smoke in the workplace. In an effort to help businesses implement the new law, the Tobacco and Cessation Commission at the Indiana State Department of Health has developed free “Breathe Easy Indiana” toolkits – a great resource, says State Health Commissioner Greg Larkin, to help businesses prepare for the law.

The toolkit includes an employee training guide, business checklist, smoke-free window clings, coasters, posters, and table tents, as well as a quick reference brochure providing basic information regarding the law. Businesses covered by the new law must post signs stating, “Smoking is prohibited within eight feet of this entrance,” or similar language, and must be visible at each public entrance.

To order such a toolkit, or to learn more about the law, visit www.breatheindiana.com.

Smoke-Free Law Information Sessions To Be Held

Two information sessions have been scheduled to inform you about the new smoke-free law.

A question and answer session is scheduled at the VFW in Winamac on Thursday, June 21 from 2 to 3 p.m. ET and, later that evening, a town hall meeting will be held at 6 p.m. CT at the Bass Lake Community Center. Representatives from the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commission of the Indiana State Department of Health, the Starke County and Pulaski County Health Departments, along with Fulton and Marshall Counties, will discuss what the law covers, who to contact with questions, who enforces the law, and who to contact with complaints.

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Smoke Free Law Discussion To Be Held June 21

Information concerning Indiana’s Smoke Free Law will be provided next Thursday, June 21 at the Bass Lake Community Center. The meeting begins at 6 p.m., and information will be available on what the law covers, who enforces the law, who to contact with complaints, and who to contact with questions.

One question that is anticipated is whether or not bars and taverns can allow smoking. According to the new law that will begin July 1, bars and taverns may allow smoking provided they meet certain requirements.

Other portions of the law that may be discussed include how far from a public place people can smoke, and according to the law, smokers must be at least eight feet from the entrance. Whether or not smoking is permitted in private vehicles is also a popular topic, and the law states smoking is permitted in private vehicles that are not owned by government.

The information session next Thursday is sponsored by the Tobacco Free Coalition.