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January 5, 2006
The Department of Health provides direct links to county contacts to answer
questions about the new statewide smoking ban at
www.doh.wa.gov/lhjmap/lhjmap.htm.
The new law prohibts smoking in all indoor public places and became effective on December 8.
Voters passed Initiative 901 this past November to amend the 1985 Clean Indoor Air Act. The
initiative expands the definition of "public place" to indluce a reasonable distance around public
facilities. Reasonable distance is defined as 25 feet from entrances, exits, windows that open, and
ventilation intakes that serve an enclosed area where smoking is prohibited.
The definition of "public place" is private residences used to provide licensed childcare,
foster care, adult care, or similar social services. The definition would also be expanded to include
the following types of facilities: schools, bars, taverns, bowling centers, skating rinks, casinos,
reception areas, and at least 75 percent of sleeping quarters within a hotel or motel and rented
to guests.
If your customers continue to ask you for information on the new smoking ban, provide them with a Department
of Health contact.
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