Navigating Legalities: How Washington State Smoking Laws Impact Your Workplace

Washington State smoking laws are not just about cigarette butts and designated ashtrays. They are about creating a healthier, more professional environment for everyone-including clients, staff, and even prospective new hires. For those of us focused on the global market and working with shared workspaces or if you rent office space; maintaining a smoke-free workplace may be part of your corporate identity.

Many shared workspaces such as those by the Indonesian firm XWORK (the XWORK Blog is the foreword for this post) and other virtual office providers offer meeting room rentals and an a la carte approach to office space usage. The goal in many of these spaces is to allow flexibility for a client base that may include younger people, working remotely, or simply requiring space for special projects or presentations.

Washington State smoking laws prohibit smoking in all indoor places of employment. An indoor place of employment is any area enclosed within three walls or more with a roof overhead not open to the outside air. The state law applies to both public and private indoor spaces. The laws apply to private offices, we’ve had feedback from clients about the perception of cleanliness issues if the office is shared.

Because your office rental or meeting room is an enclosed space; you should post no smoking signs and comply with the law. Even if you are marketing to a younger, nuanced audience; if your industry is not confined to a single location, there are costs associated with non-compliance and the bad press can be difficult to manage. Here’s a breakdown of some of the major Washington State smoking laws to consider if you rent office space or are a company with an office rental in the state.

No-smoking signs should be posted at all entrances and state law prohibits removing these signs or anywhere within a 20-foot perimeter of the entrance (RCW 70.160.030). If you are in a shared building or meet people in your office, this space is effectively an extension of your space.

State law prohibits smoking within 25 feet of entrances, exits, open windows, open vents, or air intakes or disabled parking spaces in a lot or parking area for less than 50 vehicles (RCW 70.160.030).

If you have an enclosed office, you can have a designated smoking area within the office. In Washington, if these areas are inside, they must be marked (RCW 70.160.030). There are no regulations on how much space you must have for the designated area, but it cannot be in stairwells, hallways, egress paths, or areas outside the building (RCW 70.160.030).

According to the Washington Clean Indoor Air Act (RCW 70.160), the following spaces are designated no smoking areas:

Keep in mind that the restrictions against smoking in building or facilities not owned or operated by your organization does not apply to employees of other businesses, clients, or other guests. You cannot control who comes into your office space but you can protect your employee from violators.

The details of Washington smoking laws are complex and can vary by city or county. There may also be increased restrictions in other places of employment like hospitals, offices, and long-term care facilities. It’s always best to consult your attorney to know all the restrictions that apply to your office rental and the spaces you share.

Ultimately, the key takeaway here for you as a business is to adopt a sensible no smoking policy from the start. Because the rules and regulations change so frequently hiring an attorney to review your office rental agreement is a good idea. Setting and enforcing a firm “no-smoking” policy is useful in keeping your workspace clean and fresh for employees and clients alike. It also provides a unified front that can help your business stand out from the rest.

In some places, establishing yourself as a passionate corporate citizen is the first step in attracting clients and even employees. Your no smoking policy can set you apart in two areas; First, it protects employees and clients from second hand smoke and reduces the mess caused by ashes, and cigarette butts in and around buildings. Second, having a policy that connects with local regulations shows your potential clients you are professional and paying attention to detail.

For many people in top positions, all you need are for your building to be located in a reputable area, have the right amount of parking space, nice furniture, and a good neighborhood. But, for you to attract the best talent-you have to be an employer of choice, and smoking policies are part of that.