Government Affairs - Detail

MLA Wins Extension on Boston Smoking Regulations

January 27, 2009

After a strong protest from MLA leaders following an unannounced amendment to a workplace smoking ban, the Boston Public Health Commission has granted a 90-day extension on enforcement of the new regulation.

In December of 2008, the Boston Public Health Commission's Tobacco Prevention and Control Program issued a new set of regulations that lifted from the 2003 smoking ban in public buildings an exemption that allowed for lodging establishments to have rooms for such purposes. As a result, a hotel found in violation of the new regulation would be fined $200, $700 and $1,000 for first, second and third violations. No public announcement was made of the decision to lift the exemption, which meant that hotels with such rooms could have been fined without having been notified of the new requirements.

The MLA's Government Affairs Committee quickly intervened, sending a message to Boston Mayor Thomas Menino to express the Association's concerns about the apparent lack of communication or invitation for input from the Commission on the issue. The text of the message can be found here. MLA leaders also directly contacted officials at the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program to express the MLA's concerns. Shortly after the letter was received, Boston area hotels were sent a letter from the Commission allowing for a 90-day extension of the compliance deadlines so that they meet the regulations’ expectations.

For more information about this issue or to obtain a copy of the new regulations, please contact Michael P. Auerbach, MLA Deputy Director, at 617-720-1776 or via e-mail at mauerbach@masslodging.com.