Are there penalties if a proprietor allows smoking in areas prohibited by the law?
Any proprietor, person, or entity that owns, leases, manages, operates, or otherwise controls the use of the area in which smoking is prohibited, and knowingly fails to comply with the provisions of the law is guilty of a petty misdemeanor under criminal law. MDH also has the authority to take enforcement actions that may include monetary penalties up to $10,000. Local public health agencies have various enforcement tools as well under their own civil enforcement authority, including fines, potential license suspensions or revocations.
