SB168 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Vivian Davis FiguresSenator

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Tom WhatleyJerry L. FieldingWilliam “Bill” M. BeasleyTammy IronsDick BrewbakerPaul BussmanRodger SmithermanGerald H. AllenTrip PittmanHank SandersJ.T. WaggonerBobby D. SingletonHarri Anne SmithLinda Coleman-MadisonQuinton RossDel MarshGerald O. DialGeorge M. “Marc” Keahey

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Health, smoking prohibited in places of employment, public places and private clubs, outdoor areas, exceptions, responsibilities of Health Department and State Board of Health, penalties, Smoke-free Air Act, Secs. 22-15A-1 to 22-15A-10, inclusive, repealed

Summary

SB168 creates the Alabama Smoke-free Air Act of 2014, banning smoking in most indoor public places and workplaces, adding outdoor smoking rules, and repealing the old Clean Indoor Air Act.

What This Bill Does

It prohibits smoking in all enclosed areas of public places and enclosed areas of places of employment. It also sets outdoor smoking restrictions, such as a 15-foot buffer around building entrances, outdoor seating, arenas, and playgrounds. The bill details who is exempt (e.g., private residences not used for care facilities, certain private clubs, cigar bars, tobacco shops, and tobacco-related facilities) and requires owners to post No Smoking signs, remove ashtrays from prohibited areas, and inform prospective and current employees; violations can lead to fines and potential enforcement actions by state and local authorities.

Who It Affects

• General public (employees and customers) who would be protected from smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces, and would have to follow outdoor smoking restrictions near entrances, seating, arenas, and playgrounds.
• Employers, owners, managers, and other people in control of public places or workplaces who must post No Smoking signs, inform applicants and employees, enforce the prohibition, and may face fines or civil penalties for violations.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits smoking in all enclosed areas of public places and enclosed areas of places of employment.
• Imposes outdoor smoking restrictions, including a 15-foot buffer around entrances/exits/windows/ventilation intakes, around outdoor seating and serving areas, around outdoor arenas and near bleachers, at outdoor service lines, and near playgrounds.
• Provides exemptions: private residences (unless licensed as care facilities), outdoor areas of workplaces (except where Section 5 applies), private clubs existing on the effective date, tobacco-related facilities (manufacturers, leaf dealers, etc.), cigar bars, retail tobacco shops, and bars.
• Requires owners to post No Smoking signs, remove ashtrays from prohibited areas, notify job applicants of the smoking ban, inform current employees, and enforce the prohibition, including ejecting violators and contacting law enforcement if needed.
• Enforcement and penalties: smoking in prohibited areas is a violation with up to a $50 fine for the smoker; owners or those in control face escalating fines (up to $100 for first violation, up to $200 for second/subsequent within one year); third and subsequent violations can incur civil fines up to $1,000 each, with enforcement and appeal processes managed by the Department of Public Health and related authorities.
• Local governments may adopt stricter smoking rules; the act repeals the prior Alabama Clean Indoor Air Act and establishes the Department of Public Health and State Board of Health duties for implementation and enforcement.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health