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Harrison County adopts tobacco‑free policy for county property
Summary
Commissioners voted to make all county‑owned property tobacco‑free, approving a policy that covers smoking, smokeless tobacco and vaping on county grounds and in county vehicles; enforcement measures for employees and the public were discussed but left to staff implementation.
Harrison County commissioners on Sept. 25 voted to adopt a tobacco‑free policy for all county‑owned property.
The county administrator recommended the change after consulting local public‑health officials and reviewing models used by WVU Medicine. Commissioners discussed practical enforcement issues, including impacts on employees who cannot easily leave the grounds (for example, 9‑1‑1 dispatch staff), disciplinary measures for staff (progressive reprimands up to termination) and a possible $10 civil penalty for members of the public caught smoking on county property.
Commissioners debated whether parks and the rail trail should be included in the countywide rule or handled under a separate public‑use policy; the motion that passed was for a county‑wide tobacco‑free policy, with staff directed to work through implementation details and any necessary distinctions between employee rules and public area signage and enforcement.
The commission did not specify exact enforcement procedures or final signage language at the Sept. 25 meeting and asked staff to prepare those details for follow up.
