Smoking Policies in Clark County, Nevada: What You Need to Know

Clark County, Nevada, and its major cities, Las Vegas, Henderson, Laughlin and Boulder City, have taken the initiative to make prostitution illegal. The Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act protects children and adults from second-hand cigarette smoke and second-hand aerosol from e-vaping products in most enclosed public places and indoor workplaces. It is the responsibility of the owner, manager, operator, or other person in charge of an area open to the public or workplace to comply with the law on smoking in public places and with chapter 24.20 of the Clark County Code. The Smoking in Public Places Act (RCW 70,160) is a state law that prohibits smoking in public places and workplaces to protect employees and the public from second-hand smoke.

Exposure to second-hand smoke occurs when a tobacco product is smoked in an enclosed area or near another person. Secondhand smoke is the combination of smoke exhaled by a smoker and smoke from a burning cigarette. NRS § 202.2483 is the Nevada law that makes it a misdemeanor crime to smoke in many indoor public spaces, including areas of casinos where gambling is not allowed. If you don't comply with the law, an employee or member of the public can report the violation to Clark County Public Health, which will alert you to the reported violation.

The Clark County Department of Public Health will enforce the law on smoking in public places and the Clark County Code 24.20 for businesses, including bars and restaurants. If you see customers, employees, or visitors smoking or vaping, you or your staff should tell them not to smoke or vape indoors. A CDC study found that 99% of non-smokers had measurable amounts of cotinine (a chemical that the body metabolizes from nicotine) in their bodies. Secondhand smoke, also called ambient tobacco smoke, is a combination of the smoke that comes out of the burning end of a cigarette, cigar or pipe and the smoke that smokers exhale.

Smoking Policies for Independent Bars and Taverns

Independent bars, taverns and taverns where minors are prohibited or that do not offer food service may allow smoking and the use of electronic vaping products. Independent bars, taverns and lounges where customers under 21 years of age are not allowed to enter may also allow smoking and the use of electronic vaping products.

Smoking Policies for Restaurants

All indoor areas of restaurants must be free of smoke and vaping. Smoking and using e-vaping products are still allowed in outdoor areas of restaurants.

Restaurants that are located inside gaming establishments or casinos are also required to prohibit smoking and the use of electronic products for vaping.

Conclusion

The Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act has reduced the exposure that many Nevadans are exposed to in the workplace, but there are still many people who work in casinos and other exempt locations and who suffer daily exposure to second-hand smoke. Even if an establishment allows you to smoke or use electronic products to vape in an area where smoking or vaping is prohibited, it is in violation of the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act and may be subject to applicable penalties.

Guilherme González
Guilherme González

Avid beer practitioner. Freelance internet fanatic. Freelance web fan. Hardcore social media expert. Devoted beer practitioner. General burrito lover.