Workplace Smoking Rules in Missouri

Employers covered. Employers with one or more employees.

Written policy requirements. Employer policy not specified.

Posting requirements. Signs must be posted to indicate areas in which smoking is allowed or prohibited.

No smoking areas. Smoking in Missouri is prohibited in public places and meetings, except in designated smoking areas. Public places are places such as retail or commercial establishments, health care facilities, vehicles used for public transportation, rest rooms, elevators, educational facilities and places used for entertainment. However, the smoking prohibition does not apply to: bars, taverns, restaurants that seat less than 50 people, bowling alleys and billiard parlors that conspicuously post Nonsmoking Areas are Unavailable signs; private residences; enclosed sports arenas seating more than 15,000 persons; areas used for private social functions that are under control of the function's sponsor; limousines and taxicabs where the driver and all passengers agree to smoking in the vehicle; tobacco shops; and performers on stage when smoking is part of the production.

Persons in charge of public places and meetings have a duty to make reasonable efforts to prevent smoking by (1) posting no — smoking signs; (2) arranging seating and utilizing ventilation systems and physical barriers to isolate designated smoking areas; (3) making reasonable requests of persons smoking to move to a designated smoking area; and (4) allowing smoking in designated areas of theater lobbies only.

Child care facilities. Smoking is not allowed in any area of a licensed child care facility during the time when children cared for in that facility are present. Violation of the law is an infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $200.

Designated smoking areas. To isolate smoke in designated smoking areas, existing barriers and ventilation systems must be used. In addition, seating should be arranged so as to put nonsmokers furthest away from smoking areas.

Permitted smoking areas. Smoking is permitted at private social functions, if the seating arrangements are not under the control of the proprietor of the establishment, and in tobacco shops, sports arenas and bars.