District Of Columbia § 7-1703 - Smoking restrictions.

Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 7-1703 — Smoking restrictions., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 7-1703. Smoking restrictions.

7-1703

Smoking shall be prohibited in the following:

(1)

Any elevator, except in a single-family dwelling;

(2)

Any public selling area of a retail store, except in a tobacco shop or store primarily concerned with selling tobacco and smoking equipment;

(3)

Any public assembly or hearing room which is owned or leased by any branch, agency, or instrumentality of the District of Columbia government; this subsection shall not apply to the District of Columbia National Guard Armory or to the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium;

(4)

Any educational facility except as provided in ;

(5)

While transporting passengers within the corporate limits of the District of Columbia, any passenger vehicle owned or operated by the District of Columbia government, or any passenger vehicle for hire regulated under ;

(6)

Any area of a health care facility frequented by the general public, including hallways, waiting rooms and lobbies. The operator of a health care facility may designate separate areas as smoking areas.

(A)

When a health care facility permits patients to smoke in bed space areas, such facility shall make a reasonable effort to determine a patient’s individual nonsmoking or smoking preference and assign patients who are to be placed in bed space areas utilized by 2 or more patients to a bed space area with patients who have a similar smoking preference.

(B)

Hospital staff, visitors and the general public shall not smoke in bed space areas utilized by nonsmoking patients. “No Smoking” signs shall be conspicuously posted in such bed space areas.

(7)

Any restaurant except as permitted in .

(8)

Any public or private workplace, except as provided in .

(9)

In a playground or public recreational facility or while sitting or standing within 25 feet of the property line of a playground or public recreational facility when another person is present; provided, that the following shall be exempt from this prohibition:

(A)

Smoking or using tobacco on residential property that is located within 25 feet of a playground or public recreational facility; and

(B)

Smoking or using tobacco in places enumerated in section 2015.1 of Title 20 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (20 DCMR § 2105.1) that are located within 25 feet of a playground or public recreational facility.

(10)

In a bus stop or while sitting or standing within 25 feet of a posted bus stop sign located at any bus stop controlled or maintained by the District when another person is present; provided, that the following shall be exempt from this prohibition:

(A)

Smoking or using tobacco on residential property that is located within 25 feet of a bus stop sign posted at a bus stop controlled or maintained by the District; and

(B)

Smoking or using tobacco in places enumerated in section 2015.1 of Title 20 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (20 DCMR § 2105.1) that are located within 25 feet of a bus stop sign posted at a bus stop controlled or maintained by the District.

Annotations

Section 4 of was repealed by , § 7007.

Section 7017 of repealed , § 5.

Applicability of : Section 4 of provided that the act shall apply upon the inclusion of its fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan, as certified by the Chief Financial Officer to the Budget Director of the Council in a certification published by the Council in the District of Columbia Register.

Section 2(b) of would have added (9) and (10).

Section 5 of provided that the shall apply upon the inclusion of its fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan, as certified by the Chief Financial Officer to the Budget Director of the Council in a certification published by the Council in the District of Columbia Register.

For complete smoking ban in all places of employment and public places, see .

Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Related District Of Columbia Legal Topics

Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 7-1703

What does D.C. Code § 7-1703 cover?

Section 7-1703 ("Smoking restrictions.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite District Of Columbia § 7-1703?

A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 7-1703" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.

How does District Of Columbia § 7-1703 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.