Californians are breathing easier!

Publication Date: 2016-06-09

Californians are breathing easier!

June 9th was implementation day for most of California's new tobacco control laws.

Governor Jerry Brown signed five tobacco control bills into law on May 4th that put the health of Californians above tobacco industry profits. 

As of today, more workplaces are smokefree thanks to the new law that eliminates exemptions for businesses with five or fewer employees, employee break rooms, owner-operated businesses, warehouses, and hotel lobbies. Learn more about the new smokefree law.

As of today,the use of e-cigarettes and other electronic smoking devices is not allowed in places required to be smokefree, in order to protect the health of workers and the public from the aerosol emitted by these products.

As of today, California is the 2nd state after Hawaii to require that people be 21 years old to purchase tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Learn more about the new 21+ law, including FAQ for retailers and a sample sign.

It took California 22 years to close the workplace loopholes in the 1994 smokefree law. The hard work and dedication by numerous public health partners and advocates has finally paid off.  It’s a great reminder that while smokefree campaigns can be challenging, especially at the state level, success is achievable and we must continue fighting to close gaps so that everyone can breathe easy.

As ANR celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2016, we remain committed to supporting local and state efforts in order to protect everyone’s right to breathe smokefree air.

Thank you to every advocate who has spoken up—and continues to speak up—for smokefree air in your community and state.