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Many of my friends and business acquaintances are surprised to learn that I was a heavy smoker - until six years ago that is! Fortunately, I gave myself enough time to prepare for PA's Clean Indoor Air Act (PA Act 27) which was signed into law by Governor Rendell this summer. Effective September 11, 2008, workplace smoking takes another step toward becoming a thing of the past.
The Act prohibits smoking in enclosed (public) areas (you may still smoke at home) and attaches penalties between $250 and $1000 for violations. In addition to prohibiting smoking indoors at work, employers must post No Smoking and Smoking Permitted signs where they can be clearly seen.
Some things you should consider - if you have company cars, they may be considered "enclosed workplaces"; it may be a violation of the Act to allow employees to smoke at the front entrance of your office "where the public is invited or permitted". And, of course, you may not retaliate against any employee or candidate who chooses to exercise their rights to a smoke-free work environment.
It's been a long time since I've seen a location that allows smoking indoors but, if you do, you need to put those No Smoking signs up in just a few days... ahh for the good old days when smoking was "cool!"
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