Four of the five members of Johnson County Board of Supervisors said they would support a resolution to designate a certain area at each county-owned facility for the use of tobacco products, rather than banning them outright.
Designated smoking areas gain support
Supervisors favor action, express concerns for public
September 14, 2006
By Rachel Gallegos, Iowa City Press-Citizen
By Rachel Gallegos, Iowa City Press-Citizen
Most of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors support designating specific smoking areas at each county-owned facility instead of banning smoking outright.
The proposal for a complete tobacco ban resolution came from Public Health Director Ralph Wilmoth.
Tobacco use was banned on the land around the Public Health building on Gilbert Court beginning in August 2004. Since then, county employees have inquired about expanding the ban, he said.
At Wednesday’s work session, four of the five supervisors — Sally Stutsman was absent — said they favored designated areas so that people who smoke or use smokeless tobacco don’t have to use public sidewalks. But at the same time, they said they want to protect county employees and residents from secondhand smoke and its associated health risks.
“There’s no safe level of public exposure to tobacco smoke,” Wilmoth said.
The Johnson County Administration Building already has a designated area for employees who smoke; the area is a picnic table outside the rear door of the building.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Rick Dvorak, a smoker who represented county employees who smoke, said a majority of the staff he has talked to are open to the plan for designated areas.
The proposed action by Johnson County follows bans by the University of Iowa and University Hospitals.
University Hospitals began a smoking ban July 1 on all property, inside and out, including the parking ramps.
In August, UI Interim President Gary Fethke approved a temporary smoking ban within 25 feet of all occupied UI building entrances and exits, parking facility stair towers, elevators, lobbies and doors that already are not covered by University Hospitals’ smoke-free policy.
County officials also discussed having the option of a distance from entrances where people cannot use tobacco products. With the designated areas, the goal is to have smokers away from all building doors and windows, supervisors said.
“The farther we can advocate, the better,” supervisor Rod Sullivan said.
Although smokeless tobacco does not have the secondhand smoke concern of cigarettes, cigars or pipes, Wilmoth said he thinks smokeless tobacco should be included in the resolution because of the health issues for the people who chew. Wilmoth said he was asked by county employees to include both because chew tobacco spit bothers some people.
At county-owned parks, use of tobacco products would not be allowed within 50 feet of buildings.
The courthouse may not fall under the proposed policy because, according to the opinion of the Iowa Attorney General, courthouses are under the authority of the state judiciary system, Wilmoth said.
Supervisors said they plan to bring back a formal proposal next month and hope to have a policy ready to go by Jan. 1.
County backs off smoking ban
September 13, 2006
Rachel Gallegos
Rachel Gallegos
Four of the five members of Johnson County Board of Supervisors said they would support a resolution to designate a certain area at each county-owned facility for the use of tobacco products, rather than banning them outright.
The proposal for a complete tobacco ban resolution came from Public Health Director Ralph Wilmoth since tobacco use was banned on the land around the Public Health building on Gilbert Court since August 2004. Since then, county employees have inquired about expanding the ban, he said.
At Wednesday morning’s work session, supervisors said they favored designating areas for tobacco use rather than an outright ban so that people who smoke or use smokeless tobacco have an area to do so, other than public sidewalks.
The supervisors said they were in favor of some kind of action because they want to protect county employees and residents from secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer and heart diseases.
“There’s no safe level of public exposure to tobacco smoke,” Wilmoth said.
Supervisor Sally Stutsman was not at Wednesday’s meeting.
Board of Supervisors Minutes and Agendas
