Indoor Smoking:
Workplaces, including bars and restaurants, must be smoke-free unless they have exemptions approved by DC Health. Establishments that may be eligible for exemptions are tobacco bars (including hookah bars) and tobacco retail stores.
The sale of flavored tobacco products, including hookah, is prohibited by D.C. Law 24-25 Flavored Tobacco Product Prohibition Amendment Act of 2021. Businesses without a smoke-free workplace exemption in place on September 30, 2021, do not qualify for an exemption to sell flavored tobacco products.
Businesses who fail to comply with the smoke-free workplace and flavors prohibition laws will be subject to civil fines up to $10,000 and possible suspension of license.
There is no cost to apply for a smoke-free workplace exemption. To apply for a Smoking Exemption Certification in the District of Columbia, please click the link below:
All applications can be sent to the Smoking Exemption Team at [email protected]
- Violation and Penalties:
Smoking in a prohibited area:
- First violation: Penalties of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000
- Subsequent violation: Penalties of not less than $200 and not more than $1,000
Failure to notify person observed to be smoking to stop the activity:
- Penalty of $500: each day violation continues is a separate offense.
Signage Violations
- Obscuring or defacing a sign: Penalty of $500.
- Failure to post a sign: Penalty of $500; each day that the violation continues is a separate offense.
Enforcement
The District of Columbia Department of Health assists with enforcement of the law. Staff conduct routine and complaint-driven inspections to determine compliance with the "Smoke-Free Workplaces Law"
How to Register a Complaint Smoke-Free Workplaces - Online Complaint Form
- If you would like to register a complaint, you may contact the Department of Health Smoking Exemption team at [email protected] or complete our online complaint form Smoke Free Workplaces Complaint Form [PDF] Smoke-Free Workplaces - Online Complaint Form.
If you are unsure of who has an active Smoking exemption, please click List of Exempt Establishments and Smoking Exemption Application to view the updated establishment.
https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/establishments-exempt-certificate
- Smoking Exemption Establishments
Smoking Exemptions by Establishment (as of 2.10.2024)
| Entity | Certificate Expiration |
|---|---|
| Cloud Restaurant & Lounge Sports Bar 1919 9th Street NW Washington, DC 20001 |
February 28, 2026 |
| Gazuza Lounge* 1629 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, DC 20009 |
January 8, 2027 |
| Ocean Lounge 1220 H Street NE Washington, DC 20002 |
June 30, 2026 |
| Pure Nightclub & Lounge 1326 U St NW Washington, DC 20009 |
January 8, 2027 |
| Shelly’s Back Room 1331 F St NW Washington, DC 20004 |
June 30, 2026 |
| TG Cigar* 1118 9th Street NW Washington, DC 20001 |
January 8, 2027 |
| Unity Lounge 1936 9th St NW Washington, DC 20001 |
January 29, 2027 |
*These are the ONLY establishments in the District of Columbia that can sell or distribute flavored tobacco products, including hookah.
Additional resources: