California generally bans smoking in the workplace, and new rules extending that ban went into effect June 9. Governor Jerry Brown recently signed a package of bills that expanded already-existing smoke-free workplace protections. In part, the new legislation:

• Treats the use of e-cigarettes and other nicotine-delivery devices, such as vaporizers, as “smoking” — thus extending existing smoking bans to cover such products.
• Expands smoke-free workplace protections by getting rid of most of the existing exemptions that permitted smoking in certain work environments, such as bars, hotel lobbies and warehouse facilities.
• Eliminates the ability to have employer-designated smoking break rooms.
• Expands the workplace smoking ban to include owner-operated businesses and to eliminate any small business exception for employers with five or fewer employees.
• Raises the legal smoking age from 18 to 21, except for active military personnel.

Employers will want to review existing workplace smoking policies and practices to ensure compliance with the new law. Exercise caution if you think an exemption to the ban might apply to your place of work — the exceptions are limited. For more information visit CalChamber.com.