Ramsey County passes smoking ban on county-owned properties
A worker separates waste at a recycling plant built on old landfill site on the Aegean Sea island of Tilos, southeastern Greece, Monday, May 9, 2022. When deciding where to test green tech, Greek policymakers picked the remotest point on the map, tiny Tilos. Providing electricity and basic services, and even access by ferry is all a challenge for this island of just 500 year-round inhabitants. It's latest mission: Dealing with plastic. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Those in Ramsey County will soon have to find elsewhere to light up if they are on county-owned property.
Ramsey County commissioners have passed a smoking ban on county-owned properties. Those properties include county buildings, parks and parking lots.
Though the ban doesn’t apply to drivers on county roads, officials say it does apply to those in private vehicles parked on Ramsey County property.
The ordinance applies to all commercial tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vape pens. It does not apply to traditional or ceremonial tobacco used as part of cultural or a lawfully recognized religious, spiritual or cultural ceremony or practice.
Commissioners Toni Carter, Trista MatasCastillo, Jim McDonough, Mary Jo McGuire, Rafael Ortega and Victoria Reinhardt all voted in favor of the ordinance. Commissioner Nicole Frethem was absent.
The new ordinance goes into effect Friday, Aug. 26.
Anyone who violates the ordinance may be fined.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Ramsey County Clean Indoor Air Ordinance.