1 Year of SmokeFREE Nebraska

June 1, 2010 marks the one year anniversary since Nebraska’s smoke-free workplace law went into affect. This law states that smoking is PROHIBTED by state law in all indoor workplaces except for a small percentage of hotel rooms, tobacco retail outlets, and indoor areas conducting research on health effects of tobacco smoke by a research university.  These are the only exceptions to the law.

Here, in southwest Nebraska, there have been only a handful of complaints from concerned citizen about smoker’s violating the law. This is a positive sign that most residents have accepted this change.

Residents in southwest Nebraska that wish to file a complaint about smoking in an indoor workplace may contact us at Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department. Complaints may be made anonymously.

Complaints are also taken at Nebraska Health and Human Services Indoor Air Division by calling 1-877-633-7331, e-mailing smoke.free@dhhs.ne.gov or on their website at http://smokefree.ne.gov/ReportingForm.htm.

We encourage businesses to contact this office with any questions they may have especially in making exceptions for outdoor smoking areas.