2010/11/09 RESOLUTION ADOPTING POLICY TO RESTRICT SMOKING & THE USE OF TOBACCO PDTS IN COUNTY BLDGS & ON CTY GROUNDSHarnett
C O U N T Y
NORTH CAROLINA
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A RESOLUTION ADOPTING POLICY TO RESTRICT SMOKING AND THE USE OF
TOBACCO PRODUCTS IN COUNTY BUILDINGS AND ON COUNTY GROUNDS
WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tobacco use
and second hand smoke exposure are leading preventable causes of illness and premature death
in North Carolina and the nation; and
WHEREAS, on January 2, 2010, "An Act To Prohibit Smoking In Certain Public Places And
Certain Places of Employment', North Carolina Session Law 2009 -27, became effective,
authorizing local governments to adopt and enforce ordinances "that are more restrictive than
State law" and that apply in local government buildings and on local government grounds,
among other things; and
WHEREAS, in 2006, a report issued by the United States Surgeon General stated that the
scientific evidence indicates that there is no risk -free level of exposure to secondhand smoke,
and that secondhand smoke has been proven to cause cancer, heart disease, and asthma attacks in
both smokers and nonsmokers; and
WHEREAS, the health risks associated with the use of tobacco products include myocardial
infarction, stroke, and adverse reproductive outcomes; and
WHEREAS, the County of Harnett (hereinafter referred to sometimes as "the County") is
committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace in all county facilities for its employees
and the visiting public; and
WHEREAS, the County of Harnett wishes to minimize the harmful effects of tobacco use among
County employees and eliminate secondhand smoke exposure for employees and the public in
and on those buildings and grounds controlled by the County; and
WHEREAS, this Board finds and declares that, in order to protect the public health and welfare,
it is in the bests interests of the citizens of the County to adopt a policy restricting smoking and
the use of tobacco products in all county buildings and on all county grounds within fifty linear
feet of any county buildings;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Harnett County Board of Commissioners of the
County of Harnett, North Carolina and pursuant to North Carolina General Statute §130A -498,
that it is the in the public interest to prohibit smoking and the use of tobacco products in all
county buildings and on all county grounds within fifty linear feet of any county buildings; and
RESOLVED, smoking and the use of tobacco products are prohibited in any building owned,
leased, or occupied by the County and on any grounds that are owned, leased, or occupied by the
County within fifty linear feet of buildings owned, leased, or occupied by the County; and
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RESOLVED, for purposes of this policy, the term "County building" shall mean a building
owned, leased as lessor, or the area leased as lessee and occupied by the County; and
RESOLVED, for the purposes of this policy, the term "Grounds" shall mean an unenclosed area
owned, leased, or occupied by the County; and
RESOLVED, for the purposes of this policy, the term "Smoking" means the use of a lighted
cigarette, or any other lighted tobacco product; and
RESOLVED, for the purposes of this policy, the term "Tobacco product" means any product
containing, made, or derived from tobacco that is intended for human consumption, whether
chewed, smoked, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed, or ingested by any other means,
or any component part or accessory of a tobacco product, including but not limited to cigarettes,
cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff, and any other items containing or reasonably resembling tobacco
or tobacco products; and
RESOLVED, that the County Manager or his designee shall post signs in and around County
buildings in a manner and location that adequately notify employees and visitors that the use of
tobacco products by any person is prohibited at all times in County buildings and on any grounds
within fifty linear feet of County buildings; and
RESOLVED, the County Manager or his designee shall remove all ashtrays and other smoking
receptacles intended for use from County buildings and grounds within fifty linear feet of a
County building; and
RESOLVED, that the County Manager or his designee shall ensure that notice of this policy is
provided to employees and the public; and
RESOLVED, that employees of the County who want to quit the use of tobacco products are
encouraged to talk to their health care provider about quitting and the County, from time to time,
may provide free non - smoking clinics to be offered to employees through the county health
department and other appropriate organizations; and
RESOLVED, that employees of the County who violate this policy shall be subject to
disciplinary action consistent with the County's personnel ordinance; and
RESOLVED, that this policy is effective January 1, 2011.
This the 9th day of November, 2010.
Timothy B. c eill, Chairman
Harnett Coun Board of Commissioners
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ATTEST:
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Timothy B. c eill, Chairman
Harnett Coun Board of Commissioners
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