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Court moves to ban vaping inside county buildings; will designate outdoor smoking areas later
Summary
The court reviewed a proposed order banning e‑cigarette use in county buildings and prohibiting possession by persons subject to search; commissioners pressed staff to identify and signpost designated outdoor smoking areas and asked staff to return with recommended locations.
County staff presented a proposed order prohibiting vaping and the possession of e‑cigarettes in county buildings, noting the language mirrors a 2012 smoking policy. The proposal would allow e‑cigarette use in designated outdoor areas already in the facility policy but would bar use inside buildings.
Commissioners asked staff to define and post designated smoking areas and said signage was needed for enforceability. Staff replied that the court must designate the areas and that the policy could be adopted now and the locations posted later. The court discussed enforcement limits (no formal penalties beyond being asked to move) and that department heads would handle frequency or time‑away issues through internal HR policies. Court staff said they would coordinate with grounds personnel to place receptacles and create signage and return to the court with recommended designated locations for each building.
Why it matters: The policy would restrict vaping in county buildings while allowing the court to decide outdoor designated areas. Commissioners emphasized clear signage and posting to avoid confusion and improve enforceability.
