Hogle Zoo bans smoking

Starting in 2007, "lighting up" at Utah's Hogle Zoo will no longer be allowed.

Citing health concerns, the zoo's board of directors voted unanimously Monday to adopt a nonsmoking policy. The board asked zoo staff to look into the idea several months ago, and Salt Lake City's recent nonsmoking rule in public parks helped push it along.

The zoo previously allowed smoking outdoors but prohibited it inside buildings. Beginning Jan. 1, the zoo will ban smoking in all public areas, including its parking lot.

"Our housekeeping staff is really enthusiastic about this, because they spend a lot of time picking up cigarette butts and they are a risk to the animals if one ingests it," said Craig Dinsmore, executive director of the zoo. "They are not easy to digest."

Guests who wish to smoke can go out and smoke inside their cars and then be readmitted to the zoo.

Smoking still will be allowed during private parties at the zoo and in off-exhibit, off-public areas for zoo staff. But Dinsmore hopes that by midyear, a thorough guide on employee smoking can come before the board for approval.

Dinsmore envisions a counseling and support program for employees who wish to quit smoking, and a designated smoking area for staff who do not want to quit.

The zoo will begin putting up signs and training staff about the new policy in the upcoming weeks.

The National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and the Topeka Zoo in Topeka, Kan., both banned smoking last month. About a third of the zoos that are members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums are smoke-free.

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E-mail: astowell@desnews.com