Protect Local Control

Ensuring Community Rights
To Pass Smokefree Ordinances
 

State Status

No Preemption

Quote

"Regarding a bill in Oregon to preempt local smokefree bar ordinances, McCallum stated that he was happy with the bill, and that the association "has really been battling local ordinances month in and month out for four years." McCallum compared the legislation to that enacted by California in 1995. When asked about the health of employees in bars, McCallum stated, "People have a choice as to whether they want to work in establishments that allow smoking. Those people have plenty of other choices [of employers] if they are offended by [smoking]. In fact, this law ensures that they have lots of other choices."

Michael McCallum
Chief Executive, Oregon Restaurant Association

Arkansas

The Arkansas Clean Indoor Air Act went into effect on July 21, 2006. The law restricts smoking in workplaces, but allows smoking in non-public businesses with two or fewer employees, and in any restaurant or bar that prohibits people under age 21 at all times.

This law has significant flaws but it sets a strong floor, not a ceiling, for smokefree protections. It is a good step forward because it does not have provisions, such as smoking rooms, that would be barriers to future progress, and it has a strong anti-preemption clause that allows local communities to enact stronger laws. Read the Arkansas Clean Indoor Air Act.

To learn more about the law, visit Breathe Easy Arkansas.
To report a compliance concern
with the smokefree law, use the online complaint form.

Arkansas also enacted laws for smokefree state university campuses (effective August 1, 2010) and for smokefree cars when children are present who are required to be in child safety seats.


Arkansas law does not preempt the passage of local smokefree laws. Read more about current tobacco-related legislation in Arkansas.

Current tobacco-related statistics are available from the Centers for Disease Control's Tobacco Control State Highlights, 2010.

Arkansas's 2018 Legislative Session: February 12 - March 14

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