Where Can I Smoke at Work?

Each employer must establish a written policy concerning smoking and nonsmoking by employees. That policy shall prohibit smoking except in Designated Smoking Areas in order to protect the employer and employees from the detrimental effects of environmental tobacco smoke. An employer’s written policy may prohibit smoking throughout the entire business facility. For businesses that do not ban smoking entirely, Maine law dictates where smoking is prohibited and allowed.

By Maine law, smoking in the workplace is prohibited in the following areas:

• All enclosed areas where work is performed and in common areas, such as reception areas, break rooms, restrooms, cafeterias, hallways, and meeting rooms
• Private offices
• Employer-owned and -leased vehicles used by employees
• Employee-owned vehicles used in the course of work, whenever other employees are present in the vehicle, or another person is in the vehicle for work-related reasons

Maine law allows smoking in the following places:

• Totally enclosed smoking room provided by an employer that is physically separated from all work areas and common areas, and as long as it meets all of the design, ventilation, and signage requirements of the workplace smoking rules
• Outdoors in a designated area that is not in a location that allows smoke to circulate back into the building – for instance, through a ventilation system, windows, or doors
• An outdoor smoking area constructed for protection from weather, as long as at least one wall has an opening that extends four feet or more from the ceiling or the floor

Wouldn’t it Be Easier to Quit?

You know the health effects of smoking and the dangers of secondhand smoke. Quitting is important for your health, and also for the safety and health of your family and those around you.

Are you ready to quit, or are you thinking about quitting? Find out how .