New Ramsey County ordinance plans to ban smoking on all county properties

Soraya Keiser, Pioneer Press
·2 min read

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners is set to vote Tuesday on an ordinance prohibiting smoking at any time by any person on any property used or controlled by Ramsey County.

This ordinance upholds that smoking is not allowed in indoor public places and places of employment as defined by the Minnesota Clean lndoor Air Act. However, the ordinance would ban smoking in outdoor spaces as well, including grounds, parking lots, vehicles and equipment, walkways, parks and recreation areas, beaches and more places. Smoking also would not be allowed in personal vehicles that are parked on Ramsey County property.

During a public hearing earlier this week, public comment was heard on the ordinance.

Eugene Nickels of Shoreview believes the proposed ordinance will reduce tobacco litter that “diminishes the beauty of the grounds.”

Dr. Thomas Kottke, medical director for Well-Being at HealthPartners Health Plan, also gave his support for the proposal.

“As a cardiologist, I’ve seen firsthand the damage tobacco has done to people’s lives and health,” he said. “Policies like the one before you today are far more effective at reducing the harms of tobacco than our clinical intervention.”

Falcon Heights Council Member Yakasah Wehyee and Director of Vision in Living Life Damone Presley also spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance.

“The burden of tobacco use and exposure continues to fall disproportionately on the most marginalized groups within our society, particularly children, people of color, the LGBTQ community, immigrants and low-income communities,” Wehyee said. “We can’t allow this disproportionate harm to continue to afflict these vulnerable communities and so we must do more to protect everyone.”

One concern about the proposal was raised by Tianna May. As president of Law Enforcement Labor Services Local 353 for the Ramsey County Emergency Communications Center, she noted people working in at the center would have to leave the premises late at night on their breaks to smoke.

“Them having to go off grounds to smoke while still on the clock is a safety concern now. We don’t know where they’re at, we don’t have them on camera anymore, and this job is stressful enough as it is.” May said, “Asking them to quit or risk their safety to continue smoking I think is a huge safety concern.”

The proposed ordinance will be voted on at next week’s county board meeting.

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