Public Smoking Laws Get Strict in January

Beginning January 1, 2008 strict non-smoking laws will take effect within several states including Illinois, Maryland, Tennessee, and California.

Beginning January 1, 2008 strict non-smoking laws will take effect within several states including Illinois, Maryland, Tennessee, and California. The US does not legislate cigarette/smoking control, but bans and laws can be put in place by individual cities and counties.

In Tennessee alone, several counties and state divisions have prohibited smoking in enclosed public places with only a few exceptions. The new law, which was effective October 1, 2007, was instituted in order to help prevent business patrons and employees from cardiovascular and respiratory conditions caused by secondhand smoke.

In compliance with the law, businesses must post