LMAS District Health Dept.

Smoke Free

Smoke-Free Worksite Regulation

SmokeFree Work Place Regulations Goes Into Effect October 7, 2006

Most businesses in Alger, Mackinac, and Schoolcraft Counties now smoke free (September 2006).

A smoke-free worksite regulation goes into effect in Alger, Mackinac, and Schoolcraft Counties this week, protecting employees against the danerous health effects of secondhand smoke in most businesses in the three counties. The LMAS District Health Department is the second multi-county jurisdiction in Michigan to implement a smoke-free worksite regulation.

Most business owners and managers are already aware of the " Public Health Clean Air Regulations". Letters have been sent to Alger, Mackinac, and Schoolcraft County work sites that outline everything business owners and managers need to know about the regulation.

The purpose:

To protect the public from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke exposure by substantially prohibiting smoking in public and private worksites and public places. Overall the regulation will create a cleaner, healthier environment for all.

What it means for you?

Smoke-Free Environment includes:

Restrooms, lobbies, reception areas, hallways, all common use areas.
Waiting rooms, hallways health care facilities, clinics, doctor, dentist, and any other health care offices.
Buses, taxicabs and all forms of public transportation.
Service lines, retail stores, laundromats, attorneys' office, other office's, nonprofit organizations, banks, hotels and motels (with the exception of smoking rooms).
Any public place of meeting or assembly.
Lobbies, hallways, and other common areas of apartment buildings, condominiums, trailer parks, retirement facilities, nursing homes, and other multi-unit residential facilities.
Galleries, libraries, museums, and indoor performance areas.
Enclosed recreation areas, such as:

What it means for your business:

It is the responsibility of employers to provide a smoke-free worksite.
As of October 7, 2006, each employer is required to adopt, implement, make known, and maintain a written smoking policy.
The smoking policy shall be communicated to all employees before the effective date, and at the time of employment of all other employees.
" No Smoking" signs shall be clearly posted in every building or other area where smoking is prohibited by this regulation, (i.e.: Entrances) Click here for a free No Smoking Sign. To request a free No Smoking window cling, send us an email with your business name, contact name and address. Alger & Schoolcraft County , Mackinac County .
A business that does not currently have a smoke-free policy, shall write a policy that contains the following: "Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed areas within this worksite. This includes common work areas, auditoriums, classrooms, conference and meeting rooms, private offices, elevators, hallways, medical facilities, cafeterias, employee lounges, stairs, restrooms, vehicles, and all other enclosed facilities."
Click here for a sample: Smoke Free Worksite Policy

Smoking will not be regulated at:

Tobacco specialty stores.
Private residences, except when used as a child care, health care, or adult day care facility as covered by law.
Restaurants and bars. Click here for a list of Smoke-Free Restaurants: Luce, Alger, & Schoolcraft , Mackinac.

How will the regulation be enforced?

The Health Department will investigate citizen complaints.
An employee wishing to file a complaint shall first exhaust all internal complaint procedures.
Businesses found in violation shall be guilty of an infraction punishable by a warning followed by progressive fines.
Warnings and fines will be issued to the owner of the property when infractions are found.
This ordinance protects against retaliation.