The Smoke-Free Arizona Act
Newsletter
February 2011
Volume 2 Issue 1

The 20 Foot Rule:
What everyone should know
Per the Smoke-Free Arizona Act, A.R.S. 36601.01 (“the Act”), a proprietor should not
permit smoking
within 20 feet of a
public place or
place of
employment’s
entrances, open
windows, or
ventilation systems
unless defined
differently by a local
ordinance.
The purpose of the
20 foot rule is to prevent smoke from entering
into areas where smoking is prohibited.

Outdoor Patios and the 20 Foot Rule
Outdoor patios are one of the seven
exemptions of the Act and therefore smoking is
allowed on outdoor patios. If an outdoor patio is
less than 20 feet from any entrance, open
window, or ventilation system of an
establishment, smoking is still allowed, but only
if the proprietor uses a method that:
ƒ Provides a smoke-free entrance into the
establishment
ƒ Does not permit tobacco smoke to drift into the
establishment through entrances, open windows,
ventilation systems, or other means

For More Information or to Report a Violation
Visit: smokefreearizona.org
Call: 1-877-4-AZNOSMOKE (1-877-429-6676)
Email: nosmokingarizona@azdhs.gov

If an outdoor patio of a public place or place of
employment is located within 20 feet of any
entrance, open window, or ventilation system,
smoking is allowed anywhere on this outdoor
patio as long as tobacco smoke does not enter
into the enclosed area.
In order to prevent smoke from drifting into the
establishment, some proprietors have chosen
to use methods or a combination of methods
such as, but not limited to, air curtains, physical
barriers, fans, or blowers. Please keep in mind
that these methods are only examples and not
a requirement of the Act.
Many proprietors of public places and places of
employment in Arizona are choosing to provide
smoke-free areas for their visitors, employees,
and other patrons. The Act allows proprietors to
declare an entire outdoor patio as non-smoking.

Modifying or Building an Outdoor Patio
Business owners with food and / or liquor
licenses should consider contacting the county
health department, the Department of Liquor
Licenses and Control, the local building
department, and any other applicable
authorities before modifying or building a new
outdoor smoking patio. Other business owners
should also consider contacting any applicable
authorities.

Arizona Department of Health Services
Office of Inspection and Compliance
Smoke-Free Arizona Program
150 North 18th Avenue, Suite 130
Phoenix, AZ 85007-3247