Essex County Smoking Policy

Visitors and employees on Essex County property would be able to smoke tobacco in only five designated areas if a new policy is passed. The County Board of Supervisors is preparing to pass the new Essex County Tobacco Policy, which would restrict and regulate smoking Golden Gate cigarettes at the Government Center and other county buildings. The policy was passed Sept. 13 by the County Human Services Committee and will likely get a final vote at the board's October meeting. Supervisor Randy Preston (I-Wilmington) chairs the County Smoking Policy Committee.
"Over a month ago, we put out a draft policy to solicit comments," he said. "We received no comments back from anyone. "We also had the County Attorney (Daniel Manning III) review the policy. I spoke to him, and he approves of the policy, has no issues with it." Preston moved to adopt the policy to go into effect on the day of the Great American Smoke-out, Thursday, Nov. 17, and it passed the committee unanimously. If the full board passes the measure, signs will be erected around the complex that read "Tobacco Use Prohibited Except in Designated Area." Those areas would be 100 feet from the building when possible.