Many states have passed statewide bans on smoking in enclosed public places, including restaurants and bars. Other states have enacted statewide smoking bans that include exceptions for certain businesses and workplaces—such as cigar bars, tobacco shops, and private clubs.

Some cities and towns have enacted ordinances (laws) that restrict smoking in restaurants and bars—and some cities and towns extend public smoking bans outdoors to sidewalks, apartment complexes, and other public spaces where nonsmokers may congregate, for example.

Violations of these smoking bans may be prosecuted as misdemeanor criminal offenses and include hundreds of dollars of potential fines.

In California, smoking is banned in most enclosed public places, including restaurants and bars, through the California Smoke-Free Workplace Act. This law prohibits smoking in all enclosed workplaces, effectively eliminating smoking in many indoor public spaces. However, there are exceptions for certain establishments such as cigar lounges and tobacco shops, provided they meet specific criteria. Additionally, California allows local governments to enact their own smoking ordinances, which can be more restrictive than state law. As a result, many cities and towns in California have extended smoking bans to outdoor public spaces like sidewalks, parks, and near entrances to public buildings. Violations of smoking bans in California can result in fines and are typically treated as infractions or misdemeanor offenses, depending on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances of the violation.