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 Utah, the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act prohibits smoking in almost all public places and workplaces, including restaurants and bars, with very few exceptions. This state law is comprehensive and includes enclosed indoor areas as well as certain outdoor areas where the public has access. The law also requires clear signage indicating non-smoking areas. Some of the exceptions to the ban include designated smoking rooms in hotels and motels, and private clubs may have smoking areas under certain conditions. Local governments in Utah have the authority to enact more stringent smoking regulations, and some have extended smoking bans to outdoor public spaces such as parks, near public buildings, and in outdoor seating areas of restaurants. Violations of the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act can result in fines and are considered misdemeanor offenses. The fines can vary depending on the nature of the violation and whether it is a first or subsequent offense.