Smoking or “vaping” any type of electronic cigarettes will no longer be allowed on county-owned property now that Jefferson County Commissioners have approved an amendment to the county’s smoking ordinance.

The amended order adds e-cigarettes to the list of banned smoking products.

Smoking is now prohibited in any indoor enclosed facility or vehicle owned or leased by Jefferson County.

Smoking e-cigarettes is also banned while operating any county owned or leased equipment at any time, or at any worksite.

For County employees or visitors to County buildings, smoking is prohibited within a distance from any point within 40 feet of any entrance or exit.

Cary Erickson, Jefferson County director of Human Services, said the research he has done indicates e-cigarettes are not safe.

They also offer an opportunity for the smoker to inhale a non-nicotine substance that could be illegal.

Commissioners also voted to approve the 2015 Hotel Occupancy tax allocation recommendations.

Among those recommendations is $250,000 in HOT allocations for concessions at Ford Park.

The addition of concessions will enhance what Precinct 3 Commissioner Michael “Shane” Sinegal described as “the premier ballpark in the state.”

There are as many games in one month at Ford Park, then others across the state have in a whole year, Sinegal said.

“Our ball fields are the No. 1 draw in tourism in the county by far,” Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick said.

The addition of the concession stands will enhance the ballpark while others around the state are attempting to emulate it.

In other matters, Commissioners accepted the resignation of Joel Levingston from the Drainage District 3 board of directors and appointed Jay Levingston as his replacement.

Also, an affiliation between Jefferson County and Lamar Institute of Technology for education of pharmacy technician students was approved.

E-mail: sherry.koonce@panews.com

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