Utah County enacts new smoke ban

[Gameface]

January 12th, 2011 @ 7:04pm
By Sam Penrod
PROVO -- Smoking in a public building has been illegal for years, but many people who want to smoke do so not far from the entrance of a building.

Wednesday, Utah County took a step to keep smokers from ever lighting up on county-owned property.

"Enforcement is first about educating them about why we are making it smoke free, that it is for them," said Jen Tischler, tobacco program health educator.

County leaders found it ironic that the entrance to the county's health building was the most popular spot for people to gather to smoke. They say they were motivated to issue the policy change because of concern for infants, young children and the elderly, who come to the health building for immunizations or checkups.

The risk of lung cancer and health problems from second hand smoke also prompted the county commissioners to create a smoke free environment, at all county property.

Officials don't initially plan to enforce the smoking ban with a citation, but want people to think twice about smoking -- for others and for themselves.

"We've posted signs and are going to nicely tell people that we want to have no smoking here around the health department building and our other buildings," said Dr. Joseph Miner of the Utah County Health Department.

With the new rule in place, smokers Wednesday seemed to migrate across the street to light up.

Health officials say many of those who smoke at the health building are in the department's drug treatment program. They are hoping to help them not only beat their addiction to drugs, but help them stop smoking as well.

E-mail: spenrod@ksl.com

They're helping you...help yourself, so it's all good. Not to say I disagree with public smoking bans. Not because I want to help people stop smoking, but because people who don't want to inhale cigarette smoke shouldn't have to.

Funny they think this will help the folks in the drug treatment program not only stop using drugs, but stop smoking as well. All I can say is, good luck with that.

 

[unluckyseventeen]

Next they're going to outlaw saying anything more offensive than Gosh or Heck.

 

[LogGrad98]

The rights of smokers vs the rights of non-smokers is a never-ending battle. For one I don't think a smoker's right to light up should outweigh my right to not be forced to breath it. I agree about smoking bans in buildings being a problem since people just smoke within 3 feet of the door and you get to walk through a wall of smoke to get to your car. Not sure there will ever be a solution that is equitable and enforceable.

 

[Beantown]

Smoke in your homes and don't bring it around me and my kid.

 

[TroutBum]

This pleases me. I don't care if you smoke, but don't be an inconsiderate douche about it.

 

[Nate505]

With the new rule in place, smokers Wednesday seemed to migrate across the street to light up.

I find that hard to believe. I thought they would just quit!

 

[UB]

Smoke in your holmes

Fickesd that 4 u

 

[KatieMCR]

The rights of smokers vs the rights of non-smokers is a never-ending battle. For one I don't think a smoker's right to light up should outweigh my right to not be forced to breath it. I agree about smoking bans in buildings being a problem since people just smoke within 3 feet of the door and you get to walk through a wall of smoke to get to your car. Not sure there will ever be a solution that is equitable and enforceable.

The Utah Clean Air Act already prohibits smoking within 25 feet of a public entrance. People obviously don't follow that part of the law.

 

[LogGrad98]

The Utah Clean Air Act already prohibits smoking within 25 feet of a public entrance. People obviously don't follow that part of the law.

Exactly. And it is very hard to enforce. So you get groups of smokers right by entrances to buildings. I remember last fall going to visit a friend in the hospital. It was raining and right at the automatic doors were 3 people, who obviously worked in the hospital, smoking. We mentioned it at the information desk and someone went out and made them move.

 

[One Brow]

I'n a supporter of using butt huts (designated sheters). They're not to close to the entrances, and usually are enclosed enoung to block rain, wind, etc.

 

[unluckyseventeen]

I'n a supporter of using butt huts (designated sheters). They're not to close to the entrances, and usually are enclosed enoung to block rain, wind, etc.

My old place of employment had this.

And yeah, I don't see what the point is of making new laws about smoking if they don't already enforce the ones they've written. Once again, lawmakers are finding ways to waste time and money by duplicating their work.