Georgia law requires employers to post certain notices in and about the workplace. Many of these posters may be downloaded individually from the Georgia Department of Labor Website at www.dol.state.ga.us/em/required_posters.htm.

Smoking in the Workplace

“No Smoking” signs or the international “No Smoking” symbol (a pictorial representation of a burning cigarette enclosed in a red circle with a red bar across the cigarette) must be clearly and conspicuously posted by the owner, operator, manager, or other person in control in every public place and place of employment where smoking is prohibited.

The following specifications must be met to comply with the signage requirements:

1. Visibility. “No Smoking” signs or signs bearing the international “No Smoking” symbol must be easily readable, be conspicuously posted, and must not be obscured in any way.
2. Format. The words “No Smoking,” “Smoking Permitted,” “Smoking Permitted, No One Under the Age of 18 Allowed,” and “No Smoking Beyond this Point” must not be less than 1.5 inches in height. These signs must bear the applicable annotated code section (O.C.G.A. § 31-12A-1 et seq.).
3. Smokefree Public Place. In a public place where smoking is prohibited, the building owner, agent, operator, person in charge, or proprietor must conspicuously post a sign bearing the words “No Smoking” or conspicuously post the international “No Smoking” symbol on all entrances or in a position clearly visible on entry into the place.
4. Smoking Area in a Public Place. In a public place where smoking is allowed in an enclosed area, the building owner, agent, operator, person in charge or proprietor must conspicuously post a sign bearing the words “Smoking Permitted, No One Under the Age of 18 Allowed” on all entrances or in a position clearly visible on entry into the place.
   The building owner, agent, operator, person in charge or proprietor must conspicuously post a sign inside the exit of all smoking areas, if the exit leads to a smokefree area. The sign must bear the words, “No Smoking Beyond this Point” or bear the international “No Smoking” symbol.
5. Exempt Status. The building owner, agent, operator, person in charge, or proprietor of a public place that is exempt from the act must conspicuously post a sign using the words “Smoking Permitted, No One Under the Age of 18 Allowed” on all entrances or in a position clearly visible on entry into the place. Private residences that are not used as a licensed child care, adult day care, or health care facility are not required to comply with this provision.