Connecticut - The Clean Indoor Air Act

Statewide smoking ban: On October 1, 2003, the Clean Indoor Air Act went into effect, banning smoking statewide in all enclosed workplaces in Connecticut, including restaurants and bars (bars, cafes, and bowling alleys were exempt until April 1, 2004.

The Act exempts correctional and psychiatric facilities, public housing projects, private clubs whose liquor permit was issued on or before May 1, 2003, areas of businesses where tobacco products are developed and tested, and cigar bars (a business that has a liquor permit and generated at least 10% of its 2002 gross income from on-site sales of tobacco products or humidor rentals and has not changed its size or location after December 31, 2002).

If a business has five or fewer employees (except bars and restaurants), the employer and all employees can agree to designate 20% of the place's enclosed space as a smoking area, provided that it is separately ventilated and adequate breakroom space for nonsmokers is allocated. Local governments are preempted from regulating smoking at all.