Smoking ban begins July 1

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Starting Sunday, July 1, nearly all public places in the state, including restaurants and other workplaces, will be smoke-free.

According to the Indiana Department of Health's website, the purpose of the law is to protect Hoosiers from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.

Starting July 1, smoking will be prohibited in most places of employment, most public places, and restaurants. Smoking will also be prohibited within 8 ft. of a public entrance to a public building. Smoking will also be banned in vehicles owned, leased or operated by the state, if the vehicle is being used for a government function.

However, smoking will still be allowed in bars, taverns, and tobacco and cigar shops. Hookah bars and many membership clubs, including some veteran clubs, will also still allow smoking.

The new smoking law does not only apply to the use of cigarettes. Cigars, pipes or other lighted tobacco smoking equipment is also included in the ban. The ban does not include electronic cigarettes.