Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Eileen M. Sullivan, Tobacco Control Program, Massachusetts Department of Health, 250 Washington Street, 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02108, 617-624-5915, Eileen.M.Sullivan@state.ma.us

The Massachusetts Smokefree Workplace Law went into effect on July 5, 2004, only three 3 weeks after it was signed into law. As a part of the implementation process, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health engaged in a variety of activities, including but not limited to establishing a Commission to assist in implementation, developing regulations, establishing a compliance and information line, documenting and following up all registered complaints, providing technical assistance to local Boards of Health, and funding compliance inspections conducted by local Boards of Health. Over 90% of workplaces throughout Massachusetts are complying with the law, and these successes were achieved without the negative economic impact that some had feared. This presentation will focus on the logistics and effectiveness of the implementation process, including the relationship between the state program and local boards of health on enforcement of the law. The session will also discuss the economic impact of the policy, lessons learned, and additional challenges in ensuring that all workplaces in the Commonwealth are smoke free.

Learning Objectives:

• See session abstract

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No