The State Legislature by adopting this act intends to preempt any other regulation promulgated to control smoking in public places and to standardize laws that governmental subdivisions may adopt to control smoking. Cities and towns may enact and enforce laws prohibiting and penalizing conduct under provisions of this act, but the provisions of such laws shall be the same as provided in this act and the enforcement provisions under such laws shall not be more stringent than those of this act; provided, however, that cities and towns shall be authorized to enact laws restricting smoking on properties owned or operated by the respective governing bodies. Nothing in this section shall be construed as to prevent county or municipal governments, at the discretion of the respective governing bodies, from prohibiting smoking in or on property owned or operated by the respective governing bodies.
Added by Laws 1987, c. 151, § 7, eff. Nov. 1, 1987. Amended by Laws 2013, c. 187, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2013.