(AFX) - The American Lung Association, which tracks states' legislation on tobacco issues, in early January had these tallies of smoking bans or restrictions:
-- All 50 states and the District of Columbia have laws or regulations restricting smoking in certain places. These laws range from simple, limited restrictions, such as requiring designated smoking areas in government buildings, to laws that ban smoking in virtually all public buildings, workplaces, restaurants and bars.
Besides public buildings:
-- Eight states -- Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island and Washington -- prohibit smoking in all private workplaces, restaurants and bars. Arizona becomes part of this group in May.
-- Five states -- California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine and Vermont -- prohibit smoking in all restaurants and bars.
-- Three states -- Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota -- and the District of Columbia prohibit smoking in private workplaces.
-- Four states -- Florida, Utah, Louisiana and Nevada -- prohibit smoking in private workplaces and restaurants.
-- Two states -- Arkansas and Idaho-- prohibit smoking in restaurants.
Private workplaces are defined as private businesses with at least one employee, not including restaurants and bars.
Source: American Lung Association office of State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues (http://slati.lungusa.org/StateLegislateAction.asp)
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