Smoking now banned on Haywood property
All tobacco products will soon be banned from being used on county-owned property in Haywood County.
Commissioners approved an amendment to the county tobacco-use policy prohibiting tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco and electronic cigarettes, from being used outside county buildings and in county vehicles. The only exception is at the Haywood County Fairgrounds.
Commissioners also made a bold statement about smoking in public by choosing not to designate a smoking area near the historic courthouse or justice center where people tend to migrate for a cigarette during court recess.
Commissioner Bill Upton said he could see the pros and cons of having a designated smoking area. One problem the county faces now is that defendants and plaintiffs are gathering together in front of the Haywood County Justice Center for a smoke break. Designating a smoking area would only move that problem elsewhere.
“I say we go with what we got and see what happens,” Upton said.
Commissioner Mike Sorrells said it would be nice to have a designated smoking area, but thinks it might just cause more problems.
Related Items
Pless easily cruises to third term in House District 118
Israeli delegation visit highlights international concern over Helene
eCourts launches in Western North Carolina
Unfunded state mandate will cost local governments more than money
“I think we’re close enough to public right of ways where people can go smoke,” he said. “If we see a need to come back and have a designated area, we can do that.”
Commissioner Kevin Ensley said he didn’t see a problem with people just going to their vehicles to smoke. He said in the past he always heard from one particular person when issues came up about smoking policies. He didn’t hear from her this time.
“She’s no longer with us,” he said. “She passed away from lung cancer.”
Commission Chairman Mark Swanger said the days of people speaking out against smoking rules were gone and more people are accepting that smoking in public is not allowed.
“It’s just a way of life now,” he said.
County Manager Ira Dove told commissioners he hadn’t heard any other public comment on the subject since a public hearing was held two weeks ago. Even at the hearing only one person spoke against the ordinance prohibiting smokeless tobacco.
Swanger recommended passing the amendment as presented and examining the issue again in a few months to see if it is effective.
Commissioner Kirk Kirkpatrick said he was sure he would hear people’s thoughts about it since he is in and out of the justice center on a daily basis.
The motion to approve the amendment passed unanimously. The changes go into effect 60 days after it is passed.
