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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 01 2025

Contact: Jon Ebelt, Communications Director, DPHHS, (406) 444-0936, (406) 461-3757
jebelt@mt.gov

Montana Celebrates 20 years of Smoke-Free Workplaces and Indoor Public Places

Oct. 1 marks the 20-year anniversary of the passage of the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act

State health officials are marking the 20^th anniversary of the passage of the Clean Indoor Air Act (CIAA), a law that has significantly improved the health of Montanans.

The CIAA, passed by the Legislature, is designed to protect Montanans from the health dangers of secondhand smoke by prohibiting smoking in enclosed public places, including workplaces.

"There is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke," said Nicole Aune of the Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Section, noting the 2006 U.S. Surgeon General’s conclusion. "The only way to protect public health is to eliminate exposure."

In recent years, the CIAA has been updated to address evolving forms of tobacco and nicotine consumption.

In 2021, the law was expanded to include recreational marijuana.

Most recently, on May 8, 2025, the law was updated to also prohibit the use of e-cigarettes (or vapes) in enclosed public places, following the passage of Senate Bill 390 in the 2025 legislative session.

This update changes the definition of "smoking" to include the use of electronic smoking devices—defined as an e-cigarette, dab rig, or vape pen containing or delivering nicotine or another substance intended for human consumption that can be used by a person in any manner for the purpose of inhaling vapor or aerosol from the product.

"The addition of e-cigarettes into the CIAA helps protect the public and workers from exposure to harmful chemicals in e-cigarette aerosol," Aune explained. "Secondhand e-cigarette aerosol can contain nicotine, ultrafine particles, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and cancer-causing chemicals."

Montana is now among 20 states that have included e-cigarettes in their comprehensive smoke-free laws.

Commercial tobacco addiction is the number one cause of preventable death in Montana, killing 1,600 citizens every year. Tobacco smoke carries at least 250 chemicals known to be toxic or carcinogenic, causing lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other fatal ailments.

Since the CIAA's passage, Montanans have seen significant health improvements:

Smoking Rates Cut in Half: Adult smoking decreased from 19% in 2005 to 12% in 2023. Youth smoking saw an even steeper decline, dropping from 20% to 7% over the same period.
Lung Cancer Declines: The number of new lung cancer cases has decreased by more than 40% (from 71 per 100,000 in 2005 to 41 per 100,000 in 2022). Lung cancer mortality has been cut almost in half (from 53 deaths per 100,000 to 28 deaths per 100,000).

Businesses are required to prohibit smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes and marijuana, in enclosed public places and must post clear signage at all public entrances. Violations of the CIAA are rare and are typically resolved with an educational letter from the local health Department.

Businesses can order free, updated signage at tobaccofree.mt.gov.

For more information on the CIAA or to report a possible violation, visit tobaccofree.mt.gov.

For Montanans ready to quit using any form of commercial tobacco product, including e-cigarettes, free help is available through Quit Now Montana. Participants can access free coaching, a customized quit plan, and nicotine replacement therapy or cessation medications. Please visit QuitNowMontana.com to get started.