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LEED v4.1
Hospitality – Commercial Interiors
Indoor Environmental Quality
Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control

LEED CREDIT

Hospitality-CI-v4.1 EQp2: Environmental tobacco smoke control Required

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View the LEED v4 version of this credit »

SPECIAL REPORT

LEEDuser expert

Virginia Leary

LEED AP BD+C; TRUE Advisor, Fitwel Advisor

WSP USA
Assistant Consultant

SPECIAL REPORT

LEEDuser’s viewpoint

Explore this LEED credit

Post your questions on this credit in the forum, and click on the credit language tab to review to the LEED requirements.

Credit language

USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Intent

To prevent or minimize exposure of building occupants, indoor surfaces, and ventilation air distribution systems to environmental tobacco smoke.

Requirements

For this prerequisite smoking includes tobacco smoke, as well as smoke produced from the combustion of cannabis and controlled substances and the emissions produced by electronic smoking devices.

Option 1

Locate the project in a building that prohibits smoking inside the building.

Smoking must also be prohibited outside the building except in designated smoking areas located at least 25 feet (7.5 meters) (or the maximum extent allowable by local codes) from all entries, outdoor air intakes, and operable windows.

Communicate the no-smoking policy to occupants. Have in place provisions for enforcement or no-smoking signage.

Option 2

Prohibit smoking in the project spaces.

Smoking must also be prohibited in all common areas used by the project occupants and any areas of the building served by the same HVAC system as the project.

If smoking is permitted in other areas of the building, ensure that ETS cannot migrate by either mechanical or natural ventilation into the project spaces.

Communicate the no-smoking policy to occupants of the project. Have in place provisions for enforcement or no-smoking signage.

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Frequently asked questions

Municipal law requires that our building be completely smoke-free inside. It also bans smoking next to the building, but it’s not as stringent as the 25 foot LEED requirement. Do we have to make another policy that bans smoking within 25 feet?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

We want to designate a smoking area less than 25 feet from an emergency exit. Is this okay since that door is rarely (if ever) used?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

What if I have a zero-lot-line property and no control over the sidewalk?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

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What about vaping and e-cigarettes?

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See all forum discussions about this credit »

Addenda

4/9/2021Updated: 6/10/2021
Form Update
Description of change:
Under Option 2,
1. delete second checkbox ("Smoking is prohibited in all common areas used by the project occupants and any areas of the building served by the same HVAC system as the project.")
2. Revise first upload to: "Upload documentation describing the no-smoking policy for the project space such as a copy of the policy (for the project space and/or base building), excerpt of the law, and/or a signed letter from the project owner."
3. Revise the third upload to: Upload a description of how the no-smoking policy for the project spaces is communicated to the project occupants. Include details of enforcement provisions or no-smoking signage.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/9/2020Updated: 2/3/2021
Form Update
Description of change:
Removed: "The no-smoking policy applies to spaces outside the property line used for business purposes."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/9/2020Updated: 11/25/2020
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Under Behind the Intent, add a sentence at the end: The following language has been moved from the credit requirements to the reference guide: “Also prohibit smoking outside the property line in spaces used for business purposes.”

Under Step-By-Step Guidance,
delete "Follow LEED v4 reference guide with the following modifications:"
add "Step 1. Determine Smoke-Free Locations
The smoking requirements apply to the LEED project space as well as areas occupied or managed by the base building and/or all other tenants
• Identify the location of building openings, including entries, outdoor air intakes, and operable windows.
• Emergency exits do not qualify as building openings if the doors are alarmed, because alarmed doors will not be opened. Emergency exits without alarms qualify as building openings.

The requirements may be challenging if the building does not already have a no-smoking policy. Commercial interiors projects should discuss smoking requirements with the owner and other tenants early in the project timeline to ensure compliance in areas not under the project team’s control."

revise step 2 so it reads: "Step 2. Designate Locations Of Exterior Smoking Areas: For projects following Option 1, determine whether the project has or will have designated outdoor smoking areas. Confirm these designated outdoor smoking areas are located least 25 feet (7.5 meters) from smoke free areas, based on the information gathered in step 1.Research local codes applicable to the building- the code regulations may or may not meet the 25 feet distance rule for exterior smoking. See the LEED v4 reference guide, further explanation, code limitations and restrictions.
• Consider design strategies that may encourage people to use the designated smoking area, such as covered seating.
• Educate occupants on the smoking policy and encourage them to self-police. This is particularly important in retail situations.
• Ashtrays signal that smoking is allowed in a particular area. Be sure these are placed outside the 25-foot (7.5 meter) perimeter.

For projects following Option 1, the exterior smoking requirement must be complied with at the building level, regardless of where the project is located in the building. Exterior spaces used by any tenants in the building or the owner of the building must be no-smoking. For example, if the LEED project occupies second-floor space in a building with multiple tenants, smoking is not allowed within 25 feet (7.5 meters) of any opening for the entire building."

delete step 3 and rename step 4 to step 3

Under Further explanation,
Delete " Follow LEED v4 reference guide with the following modifications."
and replace the text under "Property Line Less Than 25 Feet (7.5 Meters) From the Building:" with
"Projects with a property line less than 25 feet (7.5 meters) from the building must consider space usage when determining the outdoor smoking policy. Smoking must still be prohibited on sidewalks within 25 feet (7.5 meters) of openings. Building staff should be educated about this policy so they can direct smokers to designated smoking areas and away from entrances or windows. See Figure 1 in the LEED v4 reference guide.
Project Type Variations
Restaurant
Smoking must be prohibited outside the restaurant building in all areas except the designated outdoor smoking area. This prohibition must include all restaurant seating/café tables controlled by the project even if they lie outside of the property line (such as on a public sidewalk). See Figure 1 in the LEED v4 reference guide "

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/9/2020Updated: 11/25/2020
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
Under the third paragraph, delete the last sentence" This smoking requirement also applies to any spaces outside the property line that are used for business purposes."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/25/2019Updated: 7/30/2019
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Under Behind the Intent, Beta Update, delete the sentence "Further, while projects still need to ensure smoking is prohibited inside the building or inside the interior space, projects can opt to follow local code mandated maximum allowable distances for smoking from all building entries, outdoor air intakes and operable windows instead of the 25 feet policy in LEED."

Under Further Explanation, Delete the last paragraph that reads "The code limitations and restrictions are now an alternate pathway formally approved for achieving the prerequisite requirements and documentation for code compliance in lieu of meeting 25 feet rule may be submitted."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
See all forum discussions about this credit »

Documentation toolkit

The motherlode of cheat sheets

LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit is loaded with calculators to help assess credit compliance, tracking spreadsheets for materials, sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions, and examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects for you to check your work against. To get your plaque, start with the right toolkit.

LEEDuser expert

Virginia Leary

LEED AP BD+C; TRUE Advisor, Fitwel Advisor

WSP USA
Assistant Consultant

USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Intent

To prevent or minimize exposure of building occupants, indoor surfaces, and ventilation air distribution systems to environmental tobacco smoke.

Requirements

For this prerequisite smoking includes tobacco smoke, as well as smoke produced from the combustion of cannabis and controlled substances and the emissions produced by electronic smoking devices.

Option 1

Locate the project in a building that prohibits smoking inside the building.

Smoking must also be prohibited outside the building except in designated smoking areas located at least 25 feet (7.5 meters) (or the maximum extent allowable by local codes) from all entries, outdoor air intakes, and operable windows.

Communicate the no-smoking policy to occupants. Have in place provisions for enforcement or no-smoking signage.

Option 2

Prohibit smoking in the project spaces.

Smoking must also be prohibited in all common areas used by the project occupants and any areas of the building served by the same HVAC system as the project.

If smoking is permitted in other areas of the building, ensure that ETS cannot migrate by either mechanical or natural ventilation into the project spaces.

Communicate the no-smoking policy to occupants of the project. Have in place provisions for enforcement or no-smoking signage.

In the end, LEED is all about documentation. LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit, for premium members only, saves you time and helps you avoid mistakes with:

  • Calculators to help assess credit compliance.
  • Tracking spreadsheets for materials purchases.
  • Spreadsheets and forms to give to subs and other team members.
  • Guidance documents on arcane LEED issues.
  • Sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions.
  • Examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects.

Municipal law requires that our building be completely smoke-free inside. It also bans smoking next to the building, but it’s not as stringent as the 25 foot LEED requirement. Do we have to make another policy that bans smoking within 25 feet?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

We want to designate a smoking area less than 25 feet from an emergency exit. Is this okay since that door is rarely (if ever) used?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

What if I have a zero-lot-line property and no control over the sidewalk?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

What about vaping and e-cigarettes?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

4/9/2021Updated: 6/10/2021
Form Update
Description of change:
Under Option 2,
1. delete second checkbox ("Smoking is prohibited in all common areas used by the project occupants and any areas of the building served by the same HVAC system as the project.")
2. Revise first upload to: "Upload documentation describing the no-smoking policy for the project space such as a copy of the policy (for the project space and/or base building), excerpt of the law, and/or a signed letter from the project owner."
3. Revise the third upload to: Upload a description of how the no-smoking policy for the project spaces is communicated to the project occupants. Include details of enforcement provisions or no-smoking signage.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/9/2020Updated: 2/3/2021
Form Update
Description of change:
Removed: "The no-smoking policy applies to spaces outside the property line used for business purposes."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/9/2020Updated: 11/25/2020
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Under Behind the Intent, add a sentence at the end: The following language has been moved from the credit requirements to the reference guide: “Also prohibit smoking outside the property line in spaces used for business purposes.”

Under Step-By-Step Guidance,
delete "Follow LEED v4 reference guide with the following modifications:"
add "Step 1. Determine Smoke-Free Locations
The smoking requirements apply to the LEED project space as well as areas occupied or managed by the base building and/or all other tenants
• Identify the location of building openings, including entries, outdoor air intakes, and operable windows.
• Emergency exits do not qualify as building openings if the doors are alarmed, because alarmed doors will not be opened. Emergency exits without alarms qualify as building openings.

The requirements may be challenging if the building does not already have a no-smoking policy. Commercial interiors projects should discuss smoking requirements with the owner and other tenants early in the project timeline to ensure compliance in areas not under the project team’s control."

revise step 2 so it reads: "Step 2. Designate Locations Of Exterior Smoking Areas: For projects following Option 1, determine whether the project has or will have designated outdoor smoking areas. Confirm these designated outdoor smoking areas are located least 25 feet (7.5 meters) from smoke free areas, based on the information gathered in step 1.Research local codes applicable to the building- the code regulations may or may not meet the 25 feet distance rule for exterior smoking. See the LEED v4 reference guide, further explanation, code limitations and restrictions.
• Consider design strategies that may encourage people to use the designated smoking area, such as covered seating.
• Educate occupants on the smoking policy and encourage them to self-police. This is particularly important in retail situations.
• Ashtrays signal that smoking is allowed in a particular area. Be sure these are placed outside the 25-foot (7.5 meter) perimeter.

For projects following Option 1, the exterior smoking requirement must be complied with at the building level, regardless of where the project is located in the building. Exterior spaces used by any tenants in the building or the owner of the building must be no-smoking. For example, if the LEED project occupies second-floor space in a building with multiple tenants, smoking is not allowed within 25 feet (7.5 meters) of any opening for the entire building."

delete step 3 and rename step 4 to step 3

Under Further explanation,
Delete " Follow LEED v4 reference guide with the following modifications."
and replace the text under "Property Line Less Than 25 Feet (7.5 Meters) From the Building:" with
"Projects with a property line less than 25 feet (7.5 meters) from the building must consider space usage when determining the outdoor smoking policy. Smoking must still be prohibited on sidewalks within 25 feet (7.5 meters) of openings. Building staff should be educated about this policy so they can direct smokers to designated smoking areas and away from entrances or windows. See Figure 1 in the LEED v4 reference guide.
Project Type Variations
Restaurant
Smoking must be prohibited outside the restaurant building in all areas except the designated outdoor smoking area. This prohibition must include all restaurant seating/café tables controlled by the project even if they lie outside of the property line (such as on a public sidewalk). See Figure 1 in the LEED v4 reference guide "

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/9/2020Updated: 11/25/2020
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
Under the third paragraph, delete the last sentence" This smoking requirement also applies to any spaces outside the property line that are used for business purposes."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/25/2019Updated: 7/30/2019
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Under Behind the Intent, Beta Update, delete the sentence "Further, while projects still need to ensure smoking is prohibited inside the building or inside the interior space, projects can opt to follow local code mandated maximum allowable distances for smoking from all building entries, outdoor air intakes and operable windows instead of the 25 feet policy in LEED."

Under Further Explanation, Delete the last paragraph that reads "The code limitations and restrictions are now an alternate pathway formally approved for achieving the prerequisite requirements and documentation for code compliance in lieu of meeting 25 feet rule may be submitted."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No

LEEDuser expert

Virginia Leary

LEED AP BD+C; TRUE Advisor, Fitwel Advisor

WSP USA
Assistant Consultant

See all LEEDuser forum discussions about this credit » Subscribe to new discussions about Hospitality-CI-v4.1 EQp2