Smoking and Tobacco Use Restrictions in Northern Virginia Surgery Centers: What You Need to Know

Are you curious about restrictions on smoking & tobacco use at surgery centers in Northern Virginia? Learn more about smoking & tobacco use restrictions & how to protect against second-hand smoke.

Smoking and Tobacco Use Restrictions in Northern Virginia Surgery Centers: What You Need to Know

Are you curious about the restrictions on smoking and tobacco use in Northern Virginia surgery centers? The answer is yes. The Commonwealth and all localities must provide reasonable non-smoking areas, taking into account the size of the building and the nature of its use, in any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency of the same or a locality.

Smoking

is prohibited in elevators, public school buses, public elementary, middle and secondary schools, hospital emergency rooms, local or district health departments, voting rooms, indoor service lines and cash lines, public restrooms in any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof, and day centers for children. The owner may not force anyone who is a waitress or bus staff in a restaurant to work in any area of the restaurant where smoking is allowed without the consent of that person.

The owner or other person in charge of an educational facility, healthcare facility, retail establishment of 15,000 square feet or more that serves the general public, and recreational facilities must designate reasonable non-smoking areas, taking into account the nature of the use and the size of the building. Any person who owns, manages or controls any building or area in which smoking is regulated by an ordinance must place in the appropriate place, in a clear, visible and sufficient manner, smoking allowed signs, non-smoking signs or signs from the available non-smoking sections. Local and state governments are responsible for deciding whether it is appropriate to address this problem through government action. The coordinator works with health departments, community organizations, and local hospitals to improve the health of Virginians by reducing the number of people who use tobacco through educational and policy initiatives.

This includes promoting the free Virginia Quitline (1-800-Quit Now) resource in the community to help people who want to quit smoking tobacco for good. No one should smoke in any area of a restaurant where smoking is prohibited as provided by law. While the number of laws that exclusively prohibit the entry of tobacco into states has increased over time, there are still opportunities to better protect against second-hand smoke. Fifteen people can make their homes and vehicles smoke-free, and states can work to make all public places and workplaces smoke-free.

Twenty-two states, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and Palau do not yet have comprehensive smoke-free indoor air laws covering all bars, restaurants and workplaces.

Stephanie Weiker
Stephanie Weiker

Evil beer enthusiast. Infuriatingly humble coffee practitioner. Infuriatingly humble food maven. Devoted tv fan. Avid internet evangelist. Award-winning pizza enthusiast.