Workplace Smoking Rules in Tennessee

General provisions. No general provision. However, Tennessee prohibits discharging employees solely for using tobacco or other legal agricultural products not regulated by the alcoholic beverage commission. This prohibition applies if the employee's use complies with all applicable employer policies regarding use during work times or if the use occurs when the employee is not working.

Employers covered. Employers with one or more employees.

Written policy requirements. Employer policy not specified.

Posting requirements. No Smoking signs, or the international No Smoking symbol, which consists of a pictorial representation of a burning cigarette enclosed in a circle with a bar across it, must be prominently posted and properly maintained on each main building entrance where smoking is regulated by law. No Smoking signs or No Smoking symbols must be prominently displayed throughout the building to ensure that the public is aware of the restriction.

No smoking areas. Smoking may not be permitted and no person may smoke in the following places:

(1) Child day-care centers, unless day care is provided in a private home, in which case adult staff members may be permitted to smoke in designated smoking areas to which children are not allowed access. Written notification must be given to the parent or legal guardian upon enrollment if the day-care center has an indoor designated smoking area.

(2) Any room or area in a community center while the room or area is being used for children's activities.

(3) Group-care homes. Adults may smoke in fully enclosed adult staff residential quarters contained within a group-care home, but not in the presence of children who reside as clients in the group-care home.

(4) Health care facilities, excluding nursing homes facilities. Adult staff members may be permitted to smoke in designated smoking areas to which children are not allowed access and adults may be permitted to smoke outside the facility.

(5) Museums (except when used after normal operating hours for private functions not attended by children). Adult staff members may be permitted to smoke while at work in designated smoking areas to which children are not allowed access.

(6) All public and private kindergartens, elementary and secondary schools. Adult staff members may be permitted to smoke outdoors but not within 50 feet of any entrance to any building. Adults may also smoke in any fully enclosed adult staff residential quarters, but not in the presence of children attending the school.

(7) Residential treatment facilities for children and youth. Adult staff members may be permitted to smoke in designated smoking areas to which children are not allowed access.

(8) Zoos. Adult staff members may be permitted to smoke in designated smoking areas to which children are not allowed access.

(9) School grounds, provided that after regular school hours, adults are allowed to smoke on the property surrounding the institution, but not blocking any entrance to any building. The surrounding property does not include any public seating areas, including bleachers used for sporting events or public restrooms.

Designated smoking areas. Designated smoking areas not specified.