Linn County Update
Linn County considers smoking ban on all property
05/23/2006
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Linn County is considering a ban on smoking for all county property.
The county is forming a committee to study a ban in all county-owned buildings and vehicles, and in vehicles parked in county parking lots.
Supervisor Chairman James Houser said he hopes to have a proposal ready by Oct. 1.
The county has banned smoking inside all county buildings for about 15 years.
Dennis Christensen, of Springville, said he is opposed to a smoking ban on all county property.
“I understand that you might not be able to smoke in the buildings — but outside in a designated area I don’t see any harm. Me, I’m sitting here, waiting in my own vehicle,” Christensen said as he waited outside the county courthouse on Monday.
Samantha Coleman, 21, of Marion, said she also is against a ban.
“I’m a smoker. I say don’t ban it,” said Coleman, as she buckled her small child into her car outside the courthouse.
Kathryn Wilcox, of Cedar Rapids, also didn’t think much of the possible wider smoking ban.
“It’s your own business what you do, except inside,” said Wilcox, a nonsmoker.
