The Technical

The new laws which we will be looking at are labeled the following: ABX2-7, ABX2-9, ABX2-11, SBX2-5and SBX2-7. Those readers who are fluent in legal language can follow those links to the official California Legal Information website.

What These Changes Mean

Technical language can be difficult, so to avoid confusion we’ve simplified it down to just what you need to know:

• The minimum smoking age has been raised from 18 to 21.

This means that any current smokers between those two ages are no longer going to legally be able to purchase tobacco and tobacco products until they again reach the legal age. Buying these products is also not possible until the user is at least 21 years of age.

• These laws apply to traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, chew and cigars, in addition to vaporizers and e-cigarettes.

These modern devices had slightly outpaced the laws regarding tobacco use, so changes had to be made for these laws to catch up. This means that if you were wanting or intending to use the devices to circumvent the law, this is not possible.

• These smoking restrictions apply to all employers. This includes businesses which are owner-operated and without other employees, provided said businesses allow any clients or non-employees into the workplace.

The idea here is that if a workplace can be accessed by a client, an employee, or any other individual, then smoking is not allowed. This does not apply if a business owner operates out of an area which no other individual can access. There are also other exceptions when it comes to a few specific situations, such as private smoking lounges in tobacco stores, or the cabins of large trucks when no non-smoking employees are present.

• Businesses which have allowed smoking up until this point are legally required to change.

There are a few common places in which smoking has long been long accepted. The most popular of these include bars, taverns, warehouses and hotel lobbies. With these new laws in play, any of these businesses which have previously allowed smoking are still required to change.

• Smokers are also party to these rules.

Any tobacco users out there are also required to follow these new smoking restrictions. Any business in which smoking is not allowed by the staff also has these rules extend to the customer.

The post A Quick Guide to California’s New Smoking Restrictions appeared first on UELG.

California smoking restrictions have been changing frequently over the years. There were places which were exempt from previous smoking law regulations. For instance, workplaces with less than five workers were exempted from the restrictions.

But, the update of the law nowadays restricts smoking in public places provided there are other people who access the space for services. For example, even if you own a private workplace where you serve clients, you are prohibited from smoking in such a place.

Minimum smoking age

The minimum smoking age in the previous law was at age 18. But, the new California smoking laws have raised the age to 21. If you used to smoke while you were under 18 years, you are not allowed to smoke under the new laws.

Even though the restrictions apply to all workplaces, some employers such as those who run tobacco shops are allowed to accept smoking in specific places. In cabs of large trucks and private smoking lounges, the employers can enjoy smoking. The previous laws did not restrict employers with less than five workers to limit smoking in workplaces.

The employees were also allowed to smoke during breaks. But, the law in California has enacted and prohibited all forms of smoking in the workplace. It is necessary for you to check out the laws and get updated accordingly.

E-cigarettes are put in the same category as tobacco products

The previous laws did not restrict the use of e-cigs and vaporizers in public places. But under the new laws, the use of e-cigarettes has been categorized as tobacco products.

If you used to use your e-cigarettes in public places, then you should be careful because the law has been changed to restrict the use of e-cigarettes in public places. Other incidences where workers can smoke in workplaces include cases where there are no other nonsmoking workers present.

If you own a car or truck with a private space, you can as well designate the place as a smoking zone where your employees can smoke. But, you should ensure the place where you allow smoking is separate from the areas where you serve your customers or where other employees who don’t smoke will come across.

Vaporizers and e-cigarettes are treated the same way tobacco is treated. If you had complied with the past smoking restrictions in Californian, then it is necessary for you to change your workplace policy and ensure you comply so that you can avoid being in the wrong side of the law.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock/Billion Photos

The post Smoking Restrictions Laws in California appeared first on UELG.