Cigarette-puffers in Macomb won't be allowed to take smoking breaks right in front of county buildings under an upcoming policy change, Chad Selweski reports in The Macomb Daily.
A strict ban on outdoor smoking near Macomb County government buildings moved forward on Monday as a Board of Commissioners committee unanimously approved the proposed ordinance.
Lighting up outdoors would be banned within 100 feet of entrances, exits, windows that open and air intake units, under the new rules.
Commissioners want to protect visitors and nonsmoking workers from second-hand smoke, board Chairman Dave Flynn tells the reporter.
Employees typically congregate near the entrances of county buildings and take a cigarette break. At the county courthouse in downtown Mount Clemens, jurors, attorneys and courtroom spectators mix with the employees who light up a smoke near the Main Street doors.
Violators would face a $100 fine. A second offense would bring a $250 fine and three-time offenders would be hit with a $500 penalty. The ban would apply to cigarettes, cigars and pipes.
