Title
Chatham County Tobacco Policy Draft Update
Abstract
Action Requested: Receive report for comments and input.
Introduction & Background: Chatham County staff members Layton Long, Jennifer Park and Anna Stormzand will present a proposed revision to the Chatham County Tobacco Policy. This revised policy has been recommended by the Board of Health, and has been presented for review and comment to the County department heads and the North Carolina Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch.
The original Chatham County Tobacco Free Workplace Policy was created in 2007 and is directed toward county employees in the workplace. The current policy states that there is a tobacco free environment up to fifty feet (50') from every county building. The Board of Health would like to expand the policy to include the new health concerns of electronic cigarettes and other tobacco products as well as expanding the policy to include all county property.
Discussion & Analysis: The Board of Health has recommended to County Administration to revise the current tobacco policy into a complete, comprehensive tobacco use policy for all county property. The proposed administrative policy proposes to prohibit visitors and employees from smoking and using other tobacco products in any county building, county vehicles, and on county grounds, including the Chatham County parks system.
Budgetary Impact: An analysis of the cost of signage will be conducted once a complete survey of county property has been conducted. The cost of signage could have a budgetary impact. Health department staff will seek grants and other sources of funding for signage.
Recommendation: Receive report for comments and input.