Smoke-Free Environments

Model Policies and Tobacco-Free Resources

Find example policies, step by step guidance, handouts, infographics and other resources for going smoke-free in any setting.

Why is secondhand smoke and aerosol a problem?

  • Most Missourians are not protected by smoke-free policies at work and at home.1
  • The only way to fully protect people from secondhand smoke is to eliminate smoking in homes, worksites, and public places.2
  • Ventilation systems, barriers, and separate smoking areas do not protect people from secondhand and thirdhand smoke.3
  • Tobacco smoke can be measured in high quantities more than 20 feet from an outdoor source.4

What about secondhand aerosol from electronic devices (vaping)?

  • Secondhand aerosol is exhaled, or breathed out, by people using electronic smoking devices.
  • Many of the long-term health effects of aerosol from electronic devices are still unknown, but we do know that it contains chemicals that are harmful to inhale.6

Secondhand aerosol contains

  • Nicotine
  • Ultrafine particles that irritate asthma and other lung conditions.7
  • Cancer causing toxins.8
  • Propylene glycol which can cause asthma in children.9
  • Chemicals that cause permanent damage to the airways and lungs.10

What about smoke and aerosol from cannabis (marijuana)?

  • Secondhand marijuana smoke contains many of the same toxic chemicals found in tobacco smoke.
  • Chemicals in secondhand marijuana smoke can cause lung cancer.11
  • Children who have caretakers or live with people who smoke cannabis have detectable levels of THC (marijuana’s compound that causes a high) in their bodies.12
  • More research about the effects of secondhand marijuana smoke is still needed.12

What is thirdhand smoke?

  • Thirdhand smoke is the residue, smell, and staining left behind from cigarette smoke for months after smoking has stopped.
  • Routine cleaning methods do not remove thirdhand smoke.
  • Thirdhand smoke contains 250 chemicals and sticks to dust, carpets, upholstery, walls, hair, clothes, pets’ fur, and feathers.
  • The toxic chemicals left behind can re-emit and off gas back into the air.13,14
  • Babies and children absorb thirdhand smoke through their skin when they crawl on contaminated floors and ingest it when they put contaminated items in their mouth.13
  • The only way to prevent thirdhand smoke’s damage and health risks is to prohibit smoking in buildings and vehicles.

Who’s protected in Missouri?

  • Only one in three Missourians are protected by smoke-free laws.1
  • Some local laws fail to protect workers and customers in casinos, bars, and restaurants.
  • Children from rural, low income backgrounds have higher exposure to secondhand and thirdhand smoke.15

Read more about smoke-free gaps in Missouri and view a map of local policies.

Is there a state law?

  • The Missouri Indoor Clean Air Act states that no person shall smoke in a public place except in designated areas.
  • Under this law, public places include workplaces and any indoor space used by the public.
  • Designated smoking areas must be 30% or less of the entire space.
  • Exemptions: Bars, taverns, restaurants that seat less than 50 people, bowling alleys, and billiard parlors.
  • If smoking is allowed, clear and visible signs must be posted that say “Nonsmoking Areas are Unavailable.”

How is the Missouri Indoor Clean Air Act enforced?

  • To report a violation of this law, you can call your local police department.
  • Individuals can be fined up to $200 for breaking this law.
  • Corporations can be fined up to $500 for breaking this law.

Read more about the Missouri Clean Indoor Air Act

What can you do?

  • Don’t allow smoking or vaping in your home or car.
  • Ask your child’s school or daycare about their smoke-free policy.
  • Seek out businesses and environments with smoke-free policies.
  • Talk to your employer about adopting a smoke-free policy.
  • Talk to your landlord about adopting a smoke-free policy.
  • Educate your community leaders about the benefits of smoke-free laws and policies.
  • Contact your local health department to connect with a local community coalition.
  • Show Me Smokefree
  • Interested in taking action

What are the benefits of smoke-free policies?

  • Protect people from secondhand smoke and e-cigarette aerosol.
  • Prevent youth from starting tobacco use.
  • Help people quit and stay quit.
  • Protect people from thirdhand smoke, the toxic residue left behind from tobacco smoke.
  • 7,000+ Chemicals in tobacco smoke
    70 cause cancer1
  • 1,200 Missourians die of secondhand smoke exposure each year16
  • 7,300 Adult nonsmokers die each year from lung cancer as a result of exposure2

References