Outdoor smoking ban proposed for Granville

The Village of Granville will have a chance to decide if it wants to jump into the forefront of a campaign to ban smoking in outdoor areas at businesses and government jurisdictions in Licking County. Mary Richardson, health educator with the Licking County Health Department, broached the idea of the village becoming the first municipality in the county to adopt a tobacco-free policy at Village Council's July 18 meeting. She said the policy was an opportunity to further extend the existing ban on smoking indoors, in order to protect people from the health hazards of second-hand smoke.

 Village Manager Steve Stilwell said he hasn't seen a written proposal from the health department for such a program and wants to study what other communities have done before reacting. "I want to present examples to the council ... and give them an opportunity to decide if those examples make sense for the village," he said. Last week, the Licking County Commissioners approved a ban on smoking and tobacco use of any kind on all county-owned or leased premises and in all county-owned vehicles and equipment.

The policy allows the commissioners to designate outside smoking areas at least 100 feet from any entrance or exit. In addition to preventing non-smokers from inhaling second-hand smoke, tobacco-free policies are designed to encourage employees and community members to quit by making it less convenient to smoke, Richardson said. She said $1,000 grants are available to jurisdictions that pass tobacco-free ordinances. The grants can be used for such costs as putting up signs and communications with residents. The 2010 Community Health Assessment conducted by the Licking County Health Department found trachea, bronchus, and lung cancers were the leading causes of cancer deaths in Licking County.

The assessment also found 27 percent of Licking County adults smoke. A handful of businesses and other agencies in the county already ban outdoor smoking on their properties, including two businesses in Granville, Owens Corning Science & Technology Center and Love Yourself and Earth salon and day spa, according to the health department.