United States Virgin Islands Department of Health

In issuing a groundbreaking report on secondhand smoke in June 2006, Former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona stated, “The debate is over. The science is clear: Secondhand smoke is not a mere annoyance, but a serious health hazard that causes premature death and disease in children and non smoking adults.” Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, including at least 69 carcinogens. The Surgeon General found that secondhand smoke is a proven cause of lung cancer, heart disease, serious respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis and asthma, low birth weight and sudden infant death syndrome. The Surgeon General also found that secondhand smoke is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths in the United States each year. There is no safe level of exposure, and only smoke-free laws provide effective protection from secondhand smoke.

Where is smoking prohibited?

The new law states that smoking shall not be permitted and that no person shall smoke in the following areas:

Enclosed areas of public places
- (An enclosed area is defined as a structure that has a roof and more than two substantial walls that have either: (A) No opening; (B) Has an opening that does not allow air in from the outside; (C) Or has an opening that is less than 25% of the wall’s surface area

Enclosed areas of places of employment

Any outdoor service or waiting line and in, and within twenty feet from any point of any service or waiting line; and

Within twenty feet of all outdoor public transportation stations and platform shelters opened to the public

Examples of Non-Smoking Areas

Restaurants, bars, taverns, clubs, lounges, cabarets, casinos and all other gaming facilities

Hotels, resorts, guesthouses and inns

All schools, public, private, parochial; universities, colleges and other educational facilities

Laundromats, malls shopping centers, retail stores and service establishments

Financial institutions; waiting rooms and lobbies of offices

Public libraries and restrooms

Bus and taxi stops

Hospitals, healthcare facilities, nursing homes, and auditoriums

Galleries, museums, arenas, theaters, beaches, parks, playgrounds, ticket areas, bowling alleys, skating rinks and outdoor recreational facilities

Where is smoking allowed?

Smoking is permitted in the following areas:

Private homes (when not used as a hospice, childcare, adult day care or health care facility) and automobiles

Private clubs as defined within the law

Public or private parking lots unless within twenty feet of any entrance, exit, window, ventilations system or other opening of any public place or place of employment

Public streets and sidewalks

Noncommercial vehicles

Retail tobacco store (only when the primary activity is the retail sale of tobacco products and accessories, and the sale of other products is merely incidental)

Twenty feet from enclosed areas on public parks and beaches, tents, stalls, booths, stands and benches on public parks and beaches

Twenty feet from bleachers and grandstands

Should signs be posted?

Yes. “It is Illegal to smoke in this establishment” signs with the Department of Health contact number should be downloaded here or Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA) website and placed at every entrance of and inside every public place and place of employment where smoking is prohibited.

Where can I find more information?

For more information about the new smoke-free law, call (340)773-1311 Ext. 3198 or visit www.healthvi.org/smokefree

Where can I get information on quitting?

If you smoke and want to quit, call 1-800-QUITNOW for free information and assistance, or visit our Guides & Resources page