Smoking Policies

The Lawrence Public and Workplace Smoking Restriction Ordinance (PDF) restricts smoking in all enclosed public places and places of employment. This includes, but is not limited to common work offices, elevators, hallways, company-owned vehicles, employee lounges, stairs, restrooms, and all other enclosed facilities.

Please note that this summary is not intended to be comprehensive or provide an authoritative legal interpretation. For more detailed information about the ordinance, please refer to the city code (PDF).

Requirements

The following places are included in the smoke-free ordinance:

  • Enclosed area: all space between a floor and ceiling which is enclosed on all sides by solid walls or windows (except for doors or passage ways).
  • Place of Employment: any area that employees normally frequent during the course of employment. This includes, but is not limited to: common work areas, auditoriums, classrooms, conference and meeting rooms, private offices, elevators, hallways, company-owned vehicles, employee lounges, stairs, restrooms, and all other enclosed facilities.

Exemptions

The following places are specifically excluded from the smoke-free ordinance:

  • Private residences, except when used as a childcare, adult day care or health care facility.
  • Personal motor vehicles.
  • Hotel and motel rooms, no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of rooms.
  • Retail tobacco stores.
  • Rooms being used for private functions except while contracted food or beverage service functions are taking place (including set-up, service and clean-up activities or when the room is used for exhibit activities).
  • Outdoor places of employment unless an entire establishment is designated by the owner as non-smoking.

Complaints and Enforcement

Report smoking complaints to the Emergency Communications Center via the non-emergency number (785) 832-7509.

Complaints will be forwarded to the Fire & Medical Department and the next business day (or as soon as possible), an Inspector from the Prevention Division will contact the owner, manager or operator of the establishment to notify them of the complaint and educate them on the ordinance and/or take steps to enforce the ordinance.

Frequently Asked Questions