Last updated: July 31, 2024

Smoke Free Status of Indoor Public Places, Workplaces, and Public Transport

All indoor workplaces

Smoking is Restricted
Analysis

In most indoor workplaces, smoking is restricted to designated smoking rooms. Such rooms must be exclusively for smoking, may not exceed more than 20% of the total surface area, and must meet other technical requirements. There are a small number of places where smoking rooms are not allowed, including the indoor and outdoor areas of educational facilities and most healthcare facilities. These places are required to be 100% smoke free.

In addition, designated smoking areas are permitted in 1) areas specially designated for smokers in accommodation facilities and other providers of overnight stays, 2) senior citizens’ homes and prisons in areas not intended for common use, if only smokers reside there, 3) areas specially designated for smokers in psychiatric hospitals and specially designated for smokers at other treatment providers for mentally ill patients.

Further, there is an exception that permits smoking in cultural facilities if smoking is part of the performance. Smoking is allowed on stage only.

To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should prohibit smoking in all indoor workplaces.

Note: As of December 31, 2025, designated smoking rooms will no longer be permitted in indoor workplaces. However, the exceptions permitting designated smoking areas in accommodation facilities, senior citizens' homes, prisons, psychiatric hospitals, and other treatment providers for mentally ill patients will remain, as will the exception allowing smoking in cultural facilities if part of the performance. 

All indoor public places

Smoking is Restricted
Analysis

In most indoor public places, smoking is restricted to designated smoking rooms. Such rooms must be exclusively for smoking, may not exceed more than 20% of the total surface area, and must meet other technical requirements. There are a small number of places where smoking rooms are not allowed, including the indoor and outdoor areas of educational facilities and most healthcare facilities. These places are required to be 100% smoke free.

In addition, there is an exception that permits smoking in cultural facilities if smoking is part of the performance. Smoking is allowed on stage only.

To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should prohibit smoking in all indoor public places.

Note: As of December 31, 2025, smoking will be prohibited in all indoor public places. However, the exception for smoking in cultural facilities if part of the performance will remain.

All public transport

Smoking is Restricted
Analysis

The law restricts smoking in most enclosed public places, which by definition includes public transport, and workplaces to designated smoking rooms. These rooms must meet certain requirements, including having a separate entrance, not allowing air to flow freely from the smoking area into the non-smoking area, etc. To the extent that it is possible to meet these requirements, smoking on public transport would be restricted to designated smoking rooms. However, in places where meeting these requirements would be difficult, if not impossible, the regulatory status is uncertain.

To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should prohibit smoking in all means of public transport.

Note: As of December 31, 2025, smoking will be prohibited in all enclosed public places, which by definition includes public transport.

Government facilities

Smoking is Restricted
Analysis

The law restricts smoking in government facilities to designated smoking rooms. Such rooms must be exclusively for smoking, may not exceed more than 20% of the total surface area, and must meet other technical requirements.

To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should prohibit smoking in all enclosed government facilities.

Note: As of December 31, 2025, smoking will be prohibited in all indoor public places and indoor workplaces with a few enumerated exceptions. Government facilities are not included in these exceptions; therefore, government facilities will be 100% smoke free.

Private offices

100% Smoke Free
Analysis

The law restricts smoking in enclosed workplaces to designated smoking rooms. Such rooms must be exclusively for smoking, may not exceed more than 20% of the total surface area, and must meet other technical requirements. Because the room must be exclusively for smoking, the law is interpreted as not allowing private offices to be designated as smoking rooms. Therefore, the regulatory status code “100% Smoke Free” is given.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to private offices.

Note: As of December 31, 2025, smoking will be prohibited in all indoor workplaces with a few enumerated exceptions. Private offices are not included in these exceptions; therefore, private offices will continue to be smoke free.

Hospitals

Smoking is Restricted
Analysis

The law prohibits smoking in the indoor and outdoor areas of most hospitals. However, the law contains an exception that permits designated smoking areas in psychiatric hospitals. Because of this exception, the regulatory status code “Smoking is Restricted” is given.

To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should prohibit smoking in all indoor areas of all hospitals.

Note: As of December 2025, smoking will be prohibited in all indoor public places, including hospitals. However, the exception for psychiatric hospitals will remain.

Residential healthcare facilities - public areas

Smoking is Restricted
Analysis

The law prohibits smoking in the indoor and outdoor areas of most residential healthcare facilities. However, the law contains an exception that permits designated smoking areas in psychiatric hospitals and other treatment facilities for the mentally ill. Because of this exception, the regulatory status code “Smoking is Restricted” is given.

The law also contains an exception for “senior citizens’ homes . . . if only smokers reside there,” but designated smoking areas in these places cannot be in areas intended for common use.

To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should prohibit smoking in all indoor areas of all residential healthcare facilities.

Note: As of December 31, 2025, smoking will be prohibited in all indoor public places, including public areas of healthcare facilities. However, the exceptions for psychiatric hospitals, other treatment facilities for the mentally ill, and senior citizens’ homes will remain.

Non-residential healthcare facilities

Smoking is Restricted
Analysis

The law prohibits smoking in the indoor and outdoor areas of most healthcare facilities. However, the law contains an exception that permits designated smoking areas in psychiatric hospitals and other treatment facilities for the mentally ill. This appears to apply to both residential and non-residential healthcare facilities. Because of this exception, the regulatory status “code Smoking is Restricted” is given.

To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should prohibit smoking in all indoor areas of non-residential healthcare facilities.

Note: As of December 31, 2025, smoking will be prohibited in all indoor public places, including non-residential healthcare facilities. However, the exceptions for psychiatric hospitals and other treatment facilities for the mentally ill will remain.

Childcare facilities/preschools

100% Smoke Free
Analysis

The law prohibits smoking in the indoor and outdoor areas of childcare and educational facilities. Designated smoking rooms are not permitted.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to childcare facilities and preschools.

Primary and secondary schools

100% Smoke Free
Analysis

The law prohibits smoking in the indoor and outdoor areas of childcare and educational facilities. Designated smoking rooms are not permitted.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to primary and secondary schools.

Universities/vocational facilities

100% Smoke Free
Analysis

The law prohibits smoking in the indoor and outdoor areas of childcare and educational facilities. Designated smoking rooms are not permitted.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to universities and vocational facilities.

Shops

Smoking is Restricted
Analysis

The law restricts smoking in shops to designated smoking rooms. Such rooms must be exclusively for smoking, may not exceed more than 20% of the total surface area, and must meet other technical requirements.

To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should prohibit smoking in all enclosed shops.

Note: As of December 31, 2025, smoking will be prohibited in all indoor public places, including shops.

Cultural facilities

Smoking is Restricted
Analysis

The law restricts smoking in cultural facilities to designated smoking rooms. Such rooms must be exclusively for smoking, may not exceed more than 20% of the total surface area, and must meet other technical requirements.

In addition, the law provides an exception that permits smoking of herbal products in cultural facilities if smoking is part of the performance. Smoking is allowed only on stage and for the duration of the play.

To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should prohibit smoking in all enclosed cultural facilities.

Note: As of December 31, 2025, smoking will be prohibited in all indoor public places, including cultural facilities. However, the performance exception will remain.

Indoor stadium/arenas

Smoking is Restricted
Analysis

The law restricts smoking in indoor stadiums and arenas to designated smoking rooms. Such rooms must be exclusively for smoking, may not exceed more than 20% of the total surface area, and must meet other technical requirements.

To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should prohibit smoking in all indoor stadiums and arenas.

Note: As of December 31, 2025, smoking will be prohibited in all indoor public places, including indoor stadiums and arenas.

Restaurants

Smoking is Restricted
Analysis

The law restricts smoking in restaurants to designated smoking rooms. Such rooms must be exclusively for smoking, may not exceed more than 20% of the total surface area, and must meet other technical requirements. In addition, no food or beverages may be served or brought into the designated smoking room.

To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should prohibit smoking in all restaurants.

Note: As of December 31, 2025, smoking will be prohibited in all indoor public places, including restaurants.

Bars/pubs/nightclubs

Smoking is Restricted
Analysis

The law restricts smoking in bars, pubs, and nightclubs to designated smoking rooms. Such rooms must be exclusively for smoking, may not exceed more than 20% of the total surface area, and must meet other technical requirements. In addition, no food or beverages may be served or brought into the designated smoking room.

To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should prohibit smoking in all bars, pubs, and nightclubs.

Note: As of December 31, 2025, smoking will be prohibited in all indoor public places, including bars, pubs, and nightclubs.

Casinos

Smoking is Restricted
Analysis

The law restricts smoking in casinos to designated smoking rooms. Such rooms must be exclusively for smoking, may not exceed more than 20% of the total surface area, and must meet other technical requirements. In addition, no food or beverages may be served or brought into the designated smoking room.

To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should prohibit smoking in all casinos.

Note: As of December 31, 2025, smoking will be prohibited in all indoor public places, including casinos.

Hotels/lodging - public areas

Smoking is Restricted
Analysis

The law restricts smoking in hotels and other “providers of overnight stays” to designated smoking rooms. Such rooms must be exclusively for smoking, may not exceed more than 20% of the total surface area, and must meet other technical requirements.

To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should prohibit smoking in all public areas of hotels.

Note: As of December 31, 2025, smoking will be prohibited in all indoor public places, including public areas of hotels and lodging. 

Hotels/lodgings - guest rooms

Smoking is Restricted
Analysis

The law restricts smoking in accommodation facilities and other providers of overnight stays to “areas specially designated for smokers.” This is interpreted to mean that smoking is allowed in designated guest rooms.

To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should prohibit smoking in all hotel guest rooms.

Prisons/detention facilities - public areas

Smoking is Restricted
Analysis

The law restricts smoking in public areas of prisons to designated smoking rooms. Designated smoking rooms must be exclusively for smoking; may not exceed more than 20% of the total surface area; and must meet other technical requirements.

In addition, the law permits areas to be set aside for smoking in areas of prison “not intended for common use, if only smokers reside there.” 

To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should prohibit smoking in public areas of prisons and detention facilities.

Note: As of December 31, 2025, smoking will be prohibited in all indoor public places, including public areas of prisons and detention facilities. However, the exception for designated areas in prisons not intended for common use and where only smokers reside will remain. 

Trains, buses and other shared ground transportation other than taxis

Uncertain
Analysis

The law restricts smoking in most enclosed public places, which by definition includes public transport, and workplaces to designated smoking rooms. These rooms must meet certain requirements, including having a separate entrance, not allowing air to flow freely from the smoking area into the non-smoking area, etc. In some forms of ground transportation, it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to set aside specially designated smoking areas that meet the law's requirements. Therefore, the regulatory status code "Uncertain" is given.

To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should clearly prohibit smoking on all means of public transportation including trains, buses, and other shared ground transportation.

Note: As of December 31, 2025, smoking will be prohibited in indoor public places, which by definition includes public transport. Therefore, smoking will be prohibited on trains, buses, and other shared ground transportation.

Taxis (for-hire vehicle)

Uncertain
Analysis

The law restricts smoking in most enclosed public places, which by definition includes public transport, and workplaces to designated smoking rooms. These rooms must meet certain requirements, including having a separate entrance, not allowing air to flow freely from the smoking area into the non-smoking area, etc. However, it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to set aside specially designated smoking areas that meet the law's requirements in a taxi. Therefore, the regulatory status code "Uncertain" is given.

To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should clearly prohibit smoking on all means of public transportation including taxis.

Note: As of December 31, 2025, smoking will be prohibited in indoor public places, which by definition includes public transport. Therefore, smoking will be prohibited in taxis.

Commercial aircraft

Uncertain
Analysis

The law restricts smoking in most enclosed public places, which by definition includes public transport, and workplaces to designated smoking rooms. These rooms must meet certain requirements, including having a separate entrance, not allowing air to flow freely from the smoking area into the non-smoking area, etc. However, it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to set aside specially designated smoking areas that meet the law's requirements on an airplane. Therefore, the regulatory status code "Uncertain" is given.

To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should clearly prohibit smoking on all means of public transportation including commercial aircraft.

Note: As of December 31, 2025, smoking will be prohibited in indoor public places, which by definition includes public transport. Therefore, smoking will be prohibited in commercial aircraft.

Commercial watercraft

Smoking is Restricted
Analysis

The law restricts smoking in most enclosed public places, which by definition includes public transport, and workplaces to designated smoking rooms. These rooms must meet certain requirements, including having a separate entrance, not allowing air to flow freely from the smoking area into the non-smoking area, etc. Therefore, on commercial watercraft, smoking would be restricted to these designated areas.

To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should prohibit smoking on all public transport, including commercial watercraft.

Note: As of December 31, 2025, smoking will be prohibited in indoor public places, which by definition includes public transport. Therefore, smoking will be prohibited in enclosed areas of commercial watercraft.

Public transport facilities (waiting areas for mass transit)

Smoking is Restricted
Analysis

The law restricts smoking in public transport facilities to designated smoking rooms. Such rooms must be exclusively for smoking, may not exceed more than 20% of the total surface area, and must meet other technical requirements. In addition, no food or beverages may be served or brought into the designated smoking room.

To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should prohibit smoking in all enclosed public transport facilities.

Note: As of December 31, 2025, smoking will be prohibited in all indoor public places, including public transport facilities.

Private vehicles in which children under the age of 18 are present

100% Smoke Free
Analysis

The law prohibits smoking in private vehicles in which children under the age of 18 are present.