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Tobacco Laws in Florida

The Florida Clean Indoor Act was approved by the Florida Legislature in 1985, and was strengthened in 2002 when 71 percent of Florida's citizens voted for a constitutional amendment to prohibit smoking in nearly all indoor workplaces. The smoke-free law became effective in 2003. As a result, it is against the law to smoke indoors in Florida in nearly all public places.

  1. Public Places

    • Smoking is allowed in only a few public places in Florida, including retail cigar and tobacco stores, designated hotel rooms, tobacco-manufacturing facilities and certain areas in airports managed by the United States Bureau of Customs and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security,

    Workplaces

    • Smoking is not allowed in indoor workplaces. The law applies to any building or enclosed structure where one or more people work.

    Health Facilites

    • It is illegal to smoke in health care facilities, such as hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Florida. Designated outdoor smoking facilities are allowed, although some hospitals prohibit smoking on their campuses.

    Restaurants

    • No smoking is allowed inside restaurants, including the bar areas. Smoking is allowed outside restaurants on patios, porches or verandas, if the restaurant chooses to allow it.

    Bars

    • Bars that are not a part of a restaurant can allow smoking inside as long as no more than 10 percent of their gross revenue comes from the sale of food.

    Government Buildings

    • Smoking is prohibited in all state and local government workplaces.

    Schools

    • Florida law makes it illegal for any person younger than 18 years to smoke tobacco in or within 1,000 feet of a public or private elementary, middle, or secondary school between the hours of 6 a.m. and midnight.

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