Surgical Smoke-Free OR

Legislative and Regulatory Initiatives

We Support Legislative and Regulatory Initiatives Requiring Surgical Smoke Evacuation. Surgical smoke is the result of human tissue contact with mechanical tools and/ or heat-producing devices, such as lasers and electro-surgery knives commonly used for dissection and hemostasis. The harmful effects of surgical smoke and its dangerous contaminants are well documented and impact both patients and workers.

Legislative & Regulatory Efforts

AORN is leading the efforts to make smoke evacuation the law across the country and ensure that all operating rooms are surgical smoke-free. Ten states – Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington – have gone surgical smoke-free. Interested in legislation for your state? The first step is to connect with AORN Government Affairs.

Be a part of the effort

Get involved with AORN’s policy efforts to make every state surgical-smoke free.
Log in and download the AORN Surgical Smoke Evacuation Legislation Checklist.

Surgical Smoke Resources

Read the latest news from AORN about surgical smoke evacuation policy initiatives, and review current smoke evacuation legislation. Learn how to become an effective advocate at your capitol.

To access the list of smoke evacuation bills, please login with your AORN membership username and password.

Surgical Smoke FAQs

• The Problem
• The Solution: Evacuation of Surgical Smoke
• Oversight & Regulation