Maine Smoking Laws Get Stricter
On September 12th, the State of Maine made smoking in public more difficult. Two new anti-smoking laws were established, making Maine one of the most smoke-free states in the U.S.
New Smoking Law #1: Outdoor Dining Areas Must Now Be Completely Smoke-Free
Restaurant and bar patrons will no longer be able to smoke when in outdoor dining areas such as patios, decks, and other such property. The new law follows that of ten years ago which created smoke-free indoor dining areas and another that established smoke-free bars five years ago. Maine is the third state to ban smoking in outside dining areas.
New Smoking Law #2: Employees Must Now Be 20 Feet From Workplace When Smoking
A recent change to Maine’s Workplace Smoking Act makes it illegal for employees to smoke within 20 feet of their workplace building, including entryways, vents, doorways, and areas where smoke can circulate back into the building. Designated smoking areas must also abide by this new law. Fines for breaking the law range from $100 - $1,500 for both the employee and employer.
Today, approximately 50 million people in the United States smoke. Those that do are at a high risk of heart attack, stroke, and lung cancer. Annually, about 500,000 people die from smoke-related deaths as cigarettes cause more than one in five American deaths. Globally, the number rises to four million deaths per year.
The new Maine laws are designed to help minimize secondhand smoke, which can be just as harmful as smoking itself. Secondhand smoke is a known cause of lung cancer, heart disease, low birth-weight births, and chronic lung ailments such as bronchitis and asthma in children, among other health complications. An estimated 38,000 deaths and over one million illnesses in children are attributed to secondhand smoke in the United States each year.
So put away your cigarettes when in public Mainers because now it’s the law! A law made for the people to protect the people.
For more information on Maine smoking laws please visit: www.tobaccofreemaine.org.
