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No Smoking & Vaping Laws
The majority of Snohomish County residents do not smoke, yet the secondhand smoke from cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, e-cigarettes, and pipes contains the same dangerous chemicals as a person who smokes would inhale. Secondhand smoke from cigarettes contains more than 7,000 chemicals, hundreds of which are toxic and about 70 of which can cause cancer.
Ordinances in Snohomish
The Smoking in Public Places Law was passed in 2005, making Washington the 10th state in the country to implement a law that prohibits smoking in all public places and places of employment. The Snohomish County Health Department amended the state’s Smoking in Public Places law (Chapter 70.160 RCW) to include marijuana, hookah, and e-cigarettes and vapes.
New State Law
In March 2019, the Washington State Legislature passed a law that increased the legal age of sale for tobacco and vaping products to 21. This means any product that contains tobacco (or nicotine) can only be sold to an individual who is 21 years or older. The law went into effect on January 1, 2020. You can review the law as passed by the legislature here: Tobacco 21.
To help you become familiar with the laws, and your responsibilities, we have created the Snohomish County is a Clean Air Zone: What Business Owners and Operators Should Know (PDF), a brochure with tips and highlights.
Owners or lessees of all businesses and workplaces are required to post signs prohibiting smoking and vaping. Signage must be noticeable at all building entrances and in prominent locations throughout the building. Signs are available at the Snohomish County Health Department.
Smoking and vaping are prohibited in all public places and places of employment, including:
- 75% of sleeping quarters in all hotels and motels
- All schools, school property, buses, fields, etc.
- Any portion of any building or vehicle used by or open to the public or employees
- Break rooms, parking garages and covered entryways
- Membership-only clubs that have employees and/or allow guests onto the premises
- Within 25 feet of all doorways, entryways, windows that open, and ventilation intakes in public places and workplaces
Limited Exceptions to the Law
Tribal nations are exempt from the laws, but non-tribal businesses on reservation land are required to comply.
The Snohomish Health District is responsible for enforcing no smoking and vaping laws in Snohomish County, with the support of law enforcement and local jurisdictions. Report any violation by downloading and filling out the violation form (PDF). The completed form should be returned to the Snohomish Health District in one of the following ways:
- Email to the Snohomish Health District
- Fax to 425.339.5254
- Mail to
Snohomish Health District
Environmental Health Division
3020 Rucker Avenue
Suite 104
Everett, WA 98201-3900
Companies & Businesses
Several businesses and institutions in Snohomish County have committed to healthy environments for workers and students by prohibiting smoking and/or vaping on company grounds or campus.
- The Boeing Company
- Community Transit
- Edmonds Community College
- Everett Community College
- The Evergreen State Fair
City Parks
The following cities have passed ordinances prohibiting smoking and vaping in their city parks:
- Arlington
- Lake Stevens
- Lynnwood
- Marysville
- Monroe
- Mountlake Terrace
- Snohomish
Report a Violation of the No Smoking or Vaping Laws
The Snohomish County Health Department is responsible for enforcing no smoking and vaping laws in Snohomish County, with the support of law enforcement and local jurisdictions. You can report violations anonymously by filling out the Smoking in Public Places complaint form.