Tobacco-free policy approved

March 22--Vote applies to courthouse, DHS Building

Most Freeborn County property will be tobacco-free by July 1.

The Freeborn County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved the policy. The ban will cover the Freeborn County Government Center and property at the Department of Human Services and county highway shop. The ban will not include county parks or Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

Prior to the vote, Freeborn County Public Health Director Sue Yost discussed the economic and health benefits the ban would bring.

Each employee who smokes costs the county $3,391 each year, Yost said.

"Financially, it is the responsible thing to do," she said.

According to Yost, the ban can reduce the cost of health care and insurance. She said employees and visitors face secondhand smoke risks by walking past smokers outside the building.

Sidewalks around the Government Center are city property and are not smoke free, Yost said. Ashtrays are planned to be removed from near the building and placed near a sidewalk.

Yost cited local counties that have instituted a similar ban. Olmsted County plans to ban tobacco on county grounds May 1.

After the meeting, commissioners Mike Lee and Dan Belshan said they hoped the measure would improve the health of employees.

"We all know the hazards of smoking," Belshan said. "Maybe it will be a deterrent to someone to not smoke or maybe quit."

In other action, the board:

Approved applying to the 2017 National Association of Counties Achievement Award program.

Approved the decommitment of $200,000 in funding from the septic loan program balance to be used for other county-related projects.

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