Workplace Law

The Massachusetts Smoke-free Workplace Law (MGL chapter 270, section 22, "An Act to Improve the Public Health in the Commonwealth"), effective 07/05/2004, prohibits smoking in workplaces, including private offices, taxis, restaurants and bars in order to protect employees and the public from secondhand smoke. This law amends the 1988 Massachusetts Clean Indoor Air Law.

Secondhand smoke, also known as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), is the combination of smoke exhaled by a smoker and smoke from a burning cigarette, cigar or pipe. This combination is deangerous for both the smoker and the nonsmoker. Secondhand smoke contains a mixture of more than 4,000 chemicals, more than 50 of which are cancer-causing agents (carcinogens).

Cities and towns may have additional local secondhand smoke regulations that are stricter than the state law. For information about local tobacco control regulations, contact your local health department/board of health.

• Executive Summary of the Smoke-free Workplace Law, effective 7/5/2004 (Word) 

• Regulations to Amend the Smoke-free Workplace Law, effective 8/26/2005 (Word) 

• One-Year Review of the Massachusetts Smoke-Free Workplace Law, 7/5/2002-6/30/2005 (PDF) 

• Exemptions to the Law 

• Questions for Restaurants, Bars, and Establishments with Liquor Licenses about the Massachusetts Smoke-free Workplace Law (Word) 

• Complaints, Penalties and Enforcement of the Smoke-free Workplace Law 

• Resources for Boards of Health

• Resources for the General Public

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This information is provided by the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation & Prevention Program within the Department of Public Health.