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    Key Facts About Louisville's Smoking Ordinance

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    Which buildings are covered?
    Smoking will be prohibited in most of the 20,000 workplaces and thousands of public buildings in Louisville including:

  • More than 2,500 restaurants and eating establishments
  • Retail stores
  • Shopping malls
  • Factories
  • Offices
    Which buildings are not covered?

  • Houses
  • Bars (about 250)
  • Bar/restaurants where alcohol accounts for more than 25 percent of sales (estimated 300)
  • Private clubs and rental halls
  • Retail tobacco stores and tobacco warehouses
  • Horse-racing tracks
  • Enclosed rooms that have completely separate ventilation systems
  • Hotel rooms (but not common areas such as lobbies)
  • Indoor smoking rooms of government buildings (required by state law)
    How many restaurants and eating establishments will be smoke free?
    People will have twice as many choices for smoke-free dining once the ordinance takes effect. The ordinance will prohibit smoking in an estimated 2,500 of the 3,100 eating and/or drinking establishments in Louisville. Currently, about 1,200 restaurants have chosen to prohibit smoking.
    When will the restrictions take effect?
    Mid-November (90 days after Mayor Abramson signs the smoking ordinance)
    How will the ordinance be enforced?
    The Louisville Metro Health Department is responsible for enforcing the ordinance. The Health Department will respond to complaints from citizens.
    What are the penalties for violating the ordinance?
    Building owners, lessees and business managers face the following fines for allowing smoking in prohibited buildings:

  • First offense - $50 to 100 fine
  • Second offense - $150 to 250 fine
  • Third and subsequent offenses - $350 to 500 fine
    Smokers who refuse to stop can be asked to leave the premises and charged with criminal trespass if they refuse.

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