SB541 Summary

• Amends the Alabama Clean Indoor Air Act to prohibit smoking in all restaurants, with smoking areas no longer permitted in restaurant dining areas.

• Adds restaurants to the list of public places where smoking is prohibited, alongside child care facilities, hospitals, schools, government buildings, and retail establishments.

• Removes the previous exemption that allowed restaurants to designate smoking areas, replacing it with an absolute smoking ban in all enclosed restaurant establishments.

• Allows small restaurants deemed too small by their owner to choose whether to operate as entirely smoking or nonsmoking facilities, rather than being required to maintain designated smoking and non-smoking areas.

• Takes effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor.