Clean Indoor Air Act

In the late 1990's there was a trend around the country to pass smoke-free laws. In 2003, Alabama joined the effort to protect workers and visitors from the harms of secondhand smoke in public places by passing the Clean Indoor Air Act (CIAA). The act prohibits persons from smoking in a public place or at a public meeting; requests employers adopt a smoking policy, provide smoke-free areas in places of employment; and prescribes penalties for violations. (Some places are excluded from this regulation.) Public places include:

• Child care facilities
• Hospitals, health care clinics, doctors' offices, physical therapy facilities, and dentists' offices
• Elevators
• Buses, taxicabs, and other means of public conveyance
• Government buildings, except private offices
• Restrooms
• Service lines
• Polling places
• Public areas of aquariums, galleries, libraries, and museums
• Lobbies, hallways, and other common areas in apartment buildings, senior citizen residences, nursing homes, and other multiple-unit residential facilities
• Schools or other school facilities or enclosed school sponsored events for grades K-12
• Retail establishments, excluding restaurants, except areas in retail establishments not open to the public
• Lobbies, hallways, and other common areas in multiple-unit commercial facilities

The Alabama Department of Public Health has the responsibility of enforcing CIAA. The Alabama Board of Health amended its Administrative Code establishing procedures to be followed by enforcement personnel in investigating complaints of violations of CIAA. Get more answers to frequently asked questions about CIAA.

Important Updates

Since the passage of CIAA in 2003, Alabama lawmakers have sought to provide more comprehensive protection to citizens from secondhand smoke. Review the bills proposed in the current legislative session.In addition to CIAA, many municipalities have passed local ordinances to protect citizens from secondhand smoke.

Sign Requirements

The Clean Indoor Air Act requires persons in charge of facilities covered by the Act to prominently post and maintain "No Smoking" signs which includes a pictorial representation of a burning cigarette enclosed in a circle with a bar across. "Smoking Area" signs shall also be posted as appropriate in public places.

Download Sample Signs - These signs are suitable for posting indoors. Outdoor or custom signs should be ordered from the vendor of your choice.

Duties of Proprietors

A person in charge of a public place is required by the Act to inform persons smoking in a nonsmoking area that smoking is not permitted in that area by law. If the individual refuses to stop smoking in a nonsmoking area, the person in charge may discontinue service to that individual and may contact local law enforcement.

Employers have a duty to communicate the smoking policy to all employees and supply a written copy of the policy upon request.

Signs which meet the requirements outlined in the section above must be clearly posted and maintained.