MOORHEAD – A revised proposal to ban most smoking on Clay County property will go to the county board on Tuesday.
One exception is included: Employees or people conducting business on county property can smoke in their private cars on county property.
The exception came after the county board voiced concerns about a draft policy presented in early November by the county’s public health department.
“We wanted to have as much of a comprehensive policy as possible,” said Kathy McKay, the county’s public health administrator.
She said the private-car exception and removing language outlining reprimands for violating the policy were concessions made when a tobacco policy subcommittee met and agreed on a revised policy.
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The subcommittee of two county board members and other county officials was formed after the draft policy went before the board in November.
The policy would:
- Prohibit smoking inside all county-owned, leased and rented buildings.
- Prohibit smoking outside all county-owned, leased and rented grounds.
- Prohibit smoking in county-owned, leased or rented vehicles.
- Prohibit the littering of tobacco related products on county property.
- Apply to all employees and anyone doing business on county property.
- Prohibit tobacco use at any county-sponsored event or gathering or at any company-paid conferences.
McKay said she doesn’t know what the board will do, but she hopes the concessions are enough to move the policy forward.
She said the policy’s intent is to create a healthy environment for anyone employed by the county or for those doing business on county property.
The board meets at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday in the county board room on the third floor of the courthouse at 807 11th St. N.
