Smoking laws vary from state to state. Many states are considering laws banning all smoking in public. Some states like Ohio, California and New York already have laws that ban all public smoking, even in bars and restaurants. Smoking laws that ban smoking in stores and office buildings have been in place for many years.

What are some smoking laws?

You can do a fast Internet search to easily find the laws about smoking where you live. Whether you live in the US or in Ontario, Canada there are different smoking laws everywhere. In the US there is a smoking law that makes it illegal for anyone under 18 to smoke. Stores and retailers who sell cigarettes or cigars to anyone under 18 face losing their tobacco license and a hefty fine. They could even go to jail. Despite this teen smoking is a big problem in the US and lawmakers are looking for ways to toughen up the laws on smoking to prevent people from selling cigarettes and cigars to teens or underage kids. The FDA uses teens as decoys to test retailers, often sending in underage kids who attempt to purchase cigarettes. Stores are encouraged to participate in the “We Card” program that trains store owners and clerks to always check for proper ID and how to deal with customers who may become irate if they are denied tobacco products.

Illinois is considering passing a smoking law that would make it illegal for anyone to smoke in a car when there are children present. Illinois lawmakers think it’s necessary to have a law prohibiting parents and others from smoking around children to protect the children from the dangers of secondhand smoke. Everyone is at risk from secondhand smoke but children are especially at risk in a car where is a lack of ventilation. Non smoking state laws exist almost everywhere. Most states have no smoking laws banning people from smoking in some public places but not all. Restaurants in some places are allowed to have special sections where smokers can sit. More and more states are passing laws banning smoking in all public areas, even bars and restaurants. Even smoking in front of or alongside a building is against the law in some states.

Will it eventually be illegal to smoke?

It very well could be. In the future even tougher laws against smoking may force tobacco companies out of business. If people continue to smoke despite the harsh no smoking laws then lawmakers might be forced to ban smoking outright.