Frequently Asked Questions

Smoking is allowed in an outdoor space if the outdoor space is:
- Physically separated from the enclosed work space
- Open to the air at all times
- Smoke does not migrate back into the work space (e.g. through a door or window). Any smoke that migrates back into the work space is considered a violation of the law.

Some municipalities may have local laws that are stricter then the state law. For more information, contact your local Board of Health or Health Department.

If the outdoor space has a ceiling (including substantial covering by an umbrella or an awning), no more then half of the walls (vertical boundaries) can obstruct the flow of air into the space. If this criteria is met, smoking is permitted as long as smoke does not migrate back into the work space.

If the outdoor space does not have a ceiling, but it has 2 or more walls, then no more then 2 of the walls can exceed 8 feet in height.

If the construction requires the permission of the local building department or license authority, the local Board of Health must be notified in writing. Establishments should follow all local building, zoning, and liquor laws.

The Massachusetts Smoke-Free Workplace Law does not prevent cities an d towns from passing stricter laws. The majority of cities and towns also have regulations, by-laws, or ordinances on secondhand smoke. The state law permits cities and towns to pass stricter laws than the state law. If there is a difference between the state law and a local law, the stronger law prevails. For example, some cities and town have banned smoking in all private clubs while the state law is not as strict.

Smoking shall be prohibited in an enclosed indoor space of a membership association when:
- The association is located in a municipal-owned building
- The public is invited (e.g. advertisements, signs, invitations) to attend an event (e.g. bingo in a church or private club)
- The enclosed indoor space is occupied by a non-member that is not a guest
- The enclosed indoor space is rented to the public for a fee, tickets are sold, or for any other form of compensation (e.g. a wedding and hires a bartender, wait staff, and/or a disc jockey)
- If a temporary, contract employee, or independent contractor is hired to perform an employed service in the enclosed indoor space (e.g. bartender, caterer, disc jockey)

Smoking may be permitted if the club’s enclosed space is occupied solely by:
- Individuals with a full membership to the association
- Salaried employees of the association
- Invited guests
- Visiting members of an affiliate chapter or branch of a fraternal lodge organization

For additional information please refer to the fact sheet

Only if the membership association provides a designated enclosed indoor space that is separate from the area open to the public and “the space is restricted by the association to admit only full members, the invited guest of a member, and the employees of the membership association.” The association must ensure that members of the public do not enter the enclosed space where smoking is permitted.