Davis board gets tobacco-free award

FARMINGTON — The Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Utah has given the Davis County Board of Health an award to recognize the county's efforts to reduce secondhand smoke exposure.

In June, the board voted to outlaw smoking at certain outdoor public places in an ordinance to take effect Jan. 1, 2008.

Davis County was the first in Utah to enact a countywide regulation of outdoor smoking.

During Tuesday's board of health meeting, Casey Hill, vice president of the Coalition for Tobacco Free Utah, said the public's exposure to the pollutants of secondhand smoke is a significant health concern.

And as a Davis County resident, he said, he's proud the Davis Board of Health is leading the way.

"When people call us," Hill said later, "we point them in the direction of Davis' model."

The Davis regulation prohibits smoking at publicly and privately owned parks, playgrounds, sports fields, amusement parks, swimming pools, boweries, concession stands, public gardens, cemeteries, outdoor eating areas, walking or running trails and skate parks.

Smoking is allowed in certain designated areas at outdoor public places, provided nonsmokers can be protected from the smoke.

Hill said the coalition supports moves by counties to enact similar ordinances.

Otherwise, cities within a county may end up with varying ordinances.

"It's an easy way to knock out 10 birds with one stone," he said.

The Davis County ordinance is available online at www.daviscountyutah.gov/health.

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E-mail: jdougherty@desnews.com