Having completely smoke-free grounds at the Government Center is not likely to happen anytime soon.

 

After a 45-minute discussion last week at a workshop meeting, members of the county board were split on whether to impose a smoking ban on the Government Center grounds.

 

Currently, smoking is allowed anywhere outside the building except within 25 feet of entrances. That restriction was put in place in 2014 and has not changed since then.

 

After a workshop in January, the board gave its approval for Health & Human Services (HHS) to conduct a survey of employees about a smoke-free policy.

 

Community Health Coordinator Mark Lees said 55% of employees responded to the survey. That survey showed 82% of county employees didn’t use tobacco products, and for those who did, 81% have tried to quit at least once. It also showed 52% of employees said they were bothered by second hand smoke of the scent of smoke on hair or clothes at work.

 

When asked about establishing a tobacco-free worksite policy, 66% said they were in favor.

 

Health Promotion Supervisor Kara Zoller said the leading cause of death in Sherburne County is cancer, followed by heart disease. 

 

“Both are chronic conditions that have smoking attributed to them,” she said.

 

She cited other national statistics that show healthcare costs for those who smoke at $1,623 per year, and the cost for lost productivity is $4,300 a year.

 

Zoller said the county is receiving Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) grant funds to fight tobacco use. Under the grant, counties are required to work towards a tobacco-free grounds policy.

 

Emily Anderson from the Association of Non-Smokers of Minnesota, said the policy shouldn’t be considered punishment for those who smoke.

 

“It’s about supporting smokers who want to quit,” she said. “The focus is on tobacco use, not the user.”

 

Commissioner Tim Dolan said he had a hard time imposing such a ban.

 

“I have a tough time helping a grown adult make any decision that’s legal,” he said.

 

He said the survey showed only 18% of county employees smoked, yet 34% were against the implementation of a smoke-free policy.

 

“So there’s obviously a pretty good share of people who don’t use tobacco products who don’t think this is a good idea,” he said.

 

Commissioner Barbara Burandt was in favor of the policy.

 

“We need to think about the consequences of second hand smoke,” she said. “People have the right to smoke, but we also have the right to come to work and have an environment that is free from irritants that will affect the health of  people sitting next to us.”

 

Commissioner Ewald Petersen said questioned how the county could mandate a policy when smoking is something the state  allows.

 

“The state depends on the sales of tobacco products,” he said.  “It would be a disaster in St. Paul if it dried up completely.”

 

He also questioned how the county would enforce the policy, especially with non-employees.

 

Commissioner Lisa Fobbe compared the policy to seat belt use.

 

“We’ve found over time seatbelts and car seats saved money and impacted us personally,” she said.

 

Commissioner Felix Schmiesing was not  present at the workshop, but has expressed his opposition to a smoke-free grounds policy in the past.

 

Dolan said he would be in favor of establishing designated areas for people to smoke.

 

But Anderson said it doesn’t send the right message. 

 

“It doesn’t support people who want to quit because they are still able to go and use tobacco very conveniently on the grounds. It also allows for second hand smoke exposure and litter,” she said. “And we often seen these designated areas creep out and end up encompassing the whole grounds over time.”

 

Dolan said he wasn’t aware of any evidence showing a difference between establishing designated smoking areas and a tobacco-free policy.

 

“There’s no data one way or the other,” he said. “That’s my personal opinion.”

 

Administrator Steve Taylor recommended having some type of policy in place before the expansion project was completed in June, 2018.

 

He asked HHS Director Mary Jo Cobb to come back with two or three different options for the board to consider.