Nevadans Breathing in a Healthier New Year
Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act updates take effect January 1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 26, 2019
LAS VEGAS – Nevadans will be breathing in a healthier New Year when updates to the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act take effect on January 1. During the 2019 legislative session, Nevada’s clean indoor air law was modernized to protect children and adults from secondhand aerosol from electronic vaping products in most public places and indoor places of employment.
After the first of the year, the use of vaping products or electronic cigarettes will no longer be allowed anyplace smoking is not allowed, including restaurants, bars where minors are not prohibited, child care facilities, theaters, arcades, malls, and more. The use of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, or vaping products will only be allowed in areas of casinos and stand-alone bars, taverns, and saloons where minors are prohibited, retail tobacco stores, strip clubs or brothels, and convention floors at tobacco-related trade shows.
“Modernizing the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act was a public health win for our community,” said Dr. Michael Johnson, Director of the Community Health Division of the Southern Nevada Health District. “Our state law hadn’t kept up with the harmful products that were available to the public. Now people can breathe easier knowing they have the same protections from the harmful effects of secondhand aerosol as they do from secondhand smoke,” said Dr. Johnson.
The Health District worked with the Nevada Tobacco Prevention Coalition, and its member agencies, to develop information about the updates to the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act for the public and industry. Guides for the public and regulated businesses are available on the Health District website at www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/Health-Topics/nevada-clean-indoor-air-act/.
“We know there is widespread support among the public for stronger indoor air policies in Nevada,” said Dr. Fermin Leguen, Acting Chief Health Officer for the Health District. “In fact, many businesses that are exempt from the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act contact us for information and support on implementing voluntary policies to prohibit the use of tobacco and electronic vaping products on their premises,” said Dr. Leguen. Establishments that want to implement voluntary No Smoking/No Vaping Policies can contact the Health District’s Tobacco Control Program at tobaccoprogram@snhd.org.
Resources are also available for those seeking help quitting tobacco products as well as electronic vaping products. Residents 13 years of age and older can call the Nevada Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) from a Nevada area code.
More information about the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act and additional resources are also available on the Get Healthy Clark County website at https://gethealthyclarkcounty.org/live-tobacco-free/tobacco-free-public-places/#jump.
The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.