The Environmental Protection Agency has reported that second-hand smoke contains more than 4,000 substances, many of which are known to cause cancer in humans. Secondhand smoke, also known as ambient tobacco smoke, is a combination of the smoke from the end of a cigarette and the smoke that smokers exhale. It is no surprise that most people are aware of the dangers of second-hand smoke and want to protect themselves from it in public places. The Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act was created to reduce the exposure of Nevadans to second-hand smoke in the workplace.
This law prohibits smoking and using e-vaping products in all enclosed workplaces, unless the company is specifically exempt by law. Unfortunately, many people still work in casinos and other exempt locations and are exposed to second-hand smoke on a daily basis. Exposure to second-hand smoke occurs when a tobacco product is smoked in an enclosed area or near another person. The Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act is part of a larger trend in smoking policies across Nevada and the country. Businesses and government agencies are increasingly taking steps to limit tobacco use among employees and customers alike.
This law protects children and adults from second-hand cigarette smoke and second-hand aerosol from e-vaping products in most enclosed public places and indoor workplaces. The amount of damage caused by exposure to second-hand smoke depends on the total time spent in the environment and the amount of smoke present. Business owners have the right to implement their own voluntary “no smoking” policies, specifying a certain distance from their establishment where smoking can be allowed. A CDC study found that 99% of non-smokers had measurable amounts of cotinine (a chemical that the body metabolizes from nicotine) in their bodies. Even if an establishment allows smoking or vaping in an area where it is prohibited, it is still in violation of the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act and may be subject to applicable penalties. Smoking and vaping are still allowed in these areas; however, the casino operator may designate separate rooms or areas within the establishment as non-smoking or non-vaping.
These policies minimize the amount of tobacco smoke that enters a building through doors, windows, ventilation systems, or any other means, allowing customers to enter your business without being exposed to second-hand smoke.
