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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: November 20, 2012 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 6-a <br /> SUBJECT: Smoke Free Public Places <br /> DEPARTMENT: Health PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) Yes <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> 1) Board of Health Rule — Smoke Free Colleen Bridger, Health Director, 245- <br /> Public Places 2400 <br /> 2) Smoke Free Public Places Frequently <br /> Asked Questions (FAQ) <br /> 3) Fact Sheet <br /> 4) Community Leaders Survey Results <br /> 5) Community Survey Results <br /> 6) Draft Minutes from the October 24, <br /> 2012 Board of Health Public Hearing <br /> 7) Excerpt from Draft October 22, 2012 <br /> Town of Hillsborough Board of <br /> Commissioners Workshop Minutes <br /> 8) Ordinance Approving an Orange <br /> County Board of Health Rule <br /> Prohibiting Smoking in County and <br /> Town Buildings, Grounds, Vehicles, <br /> and Public Places <br /> PURPOSE: To conduct a public hearing to receive comments from the public regarding smoke <br /> free public places and to consider approval, by Ordinance, of the Orange County Board of <br /> Health's Smoke Free Public Places Rule adopted by the Board of Health on October 24, 2012. <br /> BACKGROUND: In 2006, a report issued by the United States Surgeon General stated that the <br /> scientific evidence indicates that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke <br /> and that secondhand smoke has been proven to cause cancer, heart disease, and asthma <br /> attacks in both smokers and nonsmokers. Also, research indicates that, during active smoking, <br /> outdoor levels of secondhand smoke may be as high as indoor levels and may pose a health <br /> risk for people in close proximity such as those sitting beside someone on a park bench or <br /> children accompanying a smoking parent or guardian. <br /> Given this and other information regarding the adverse health effects from secondhand smoke, <br /> and extensive input from municipal leaders and residents, the Orange County Board of Health <br /> voted to adopt a Smoke Free Public Places Rule. The details of this Rule are included in the <br /> attachments. Essentially, under this Rule, smoking would be banned: 1) in all indoor areas <br /> where the public is invited or allowed (including County and Municipal-owned vehicles) and 2) <br /> all County or Municipal-owned, maintained or controlled outdoor areas such as parks, parking <br />