New Workplace Smoking Restrictions Take Effect Oct. 1

Workers in Connecticut won’t just have to step outside for a smoke break beginning Oct. 1, 2021—they’ll have to step far outside, away from any doors or windows.

And smoking rooms employers provide for employees also will be prohibited from July 1.

Tucked into the text of the new law legalizing marijuana are several changes to workplace smoking laws.

Smoking bans will now apply to cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, marijuana, and any electronic device that delivers cannabis to the user—not just tobacco smoke.

The new law generally bans smoking or the use of e-cigarettes in any area of the workplace, regardless of the number of employees.

So smokers who used to step outside the office or factory door for a smoke will no longer be able smoke within 25 feet of a doorway, operable window, or air intake vent.

That means someone walking down a sidewalk within 25 feet of the doors to restaurants and other businesses can no longer smoke.

Exemptions Eliminated

The law also eliminates current exemptions, meaning smoking bans will apply to correctional facilities, up to 25% of guest rooms in hotels, motels, and similar lodging, and designated smoking areas in psychiatric facilities.

In addition, hotels and motels will be required to prohibit the smoking or vaping of cannabis anywhere on their grounds.

Smoking will also be banned in any area of a retail establishment accessed by the public, rather than just a retail food store.

Smoking will be prohibited on the grounds of a residential daycare facility when a child is present during customary business hours.

Smoking will also be banned in any area of a retail establishment accessed by the public, rather than just a retail food store.

The law also expands smoking bans on the grounds of any state or municipally owned or leased building, instead of only inside the building, as well as anywhere on school grounds, not just inside the school.

The ban will also apply to any bus shelter or rail platform operated by the state.

Landlords and building managers can ban tenants from smoking cannabis but they cannot prevent them from possessing legal amounts under the new law.

Exceptions to the smoking ban will include public housing facilities, and any facilities exempted from the Clean Air Act, such as a tobacco lounge.