2017 Smoking Ban At Most El Paso County Government Sites

EL PASO, Texas (AP) — Leaders of a West Texas county have voted to ban smoking on most county-owned property starting in 2017.

The El Paso County Commissioners Court on Monday approved the Tobacco-Free Worksite Policy.

The updated rules are promoted as an effort to provide safe and healthy work areas. Previous rules required smokers to stay 20 feet away from county buildings before lighting up.

The ban applies to use of cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff and pipe tobacco at buildings, parks and sports arenas owned, leased or controlled by the county. Exemptions include the Ascarate Golf Course and the El Paso County Coliseum.

El Paso County's Human Resources Department did a survey as part of efforts to develop the no-smoking policy.

El Paso city leaders in 2001 approved a comprehensive smoke-free ordinance.