GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, MICHIGAN SHERIFF'S OFFICE
NO-SMOKING POLICY & PROCEDURE

The following no-smoking policy was adopted by the Grand Traverse County, Michigan, Sheriff's Office in January, 2000. According to the Sheriff's Office, this policy was negotiated with the unions before being adopted. The policy states that no new employees of the Sheriff's Office shall be permitted to use tobacco products on or off the job; it also prohibits smoking except in designated smoking areas, which are outside. The full no-smoking policy follows:

GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE POLICY & PROCEDURE

SUBJECT: Smoking/ County Facilities and Vehicles

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 7, 2000

PREVIOUS DATES: June 1, 1988, June 1, 1990, November 20, 1995, March 24, 1997

REFERENCES:

Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners directive, effective date June 1, 1990, which prohibits smoking in County Facilities.

The Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office policy effective November 4, 1999 that no new employee shall be permitted to use or possess tobacco products, of any kind, as an employee of the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office or Central Records.

In the interest of providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, customers, and visitors, and in accordance with the Michigan Clean Indoor Act, PA 198 of 1986, the following policy on smoking has been adopted.

SMOKING IS PROHIBITED THROUGHOUT ALL COUNTY FACILITIES

GENERAL SMOKING POLICY STATEMENT:

Employees hired after November 3, 1999, shall not be permitted to use or possess tobacco products of any kind, as an employee of the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office or Central Records.

Employees hired prior to November 4, 1999, may not use any tobacco products within general view of the public except in clearly designated smoking areas while on duty.

Designated smoking areas for the Dennis Finch Law Enforcement Center will be located outside the west door of the Correctional Facility sallyport.

SMOKING IN DEPARTMENT VEHICLES:

All department vehicles shall be considered "tobacco product free."

Any vehicle which is currently assigned to a tobacco user on the date of this policy originally, March 24, 1997, shall be "grand fathered" as long as said vehicle is assigned to a smoker. (The only vehicle remaining as a designated smoking vehicle is car 60). Excepting, that in the event that any other occupant of the vehicle objects to the smoking, said vehicle shall become a smoke-free vehicle for that time period.

Employees assigned to operate department vehicles shall be responsible to insure the enforcement of this provision.

ENFORCEMENT:

The success of this policy will depend upon the thoughtfulness, consideration, and cooperation of smokers and non smokers. All employees share in the responsibility for adhering to and enforcing this policy.

Conflicts should be brought to the attention of the appropriate supervisory personnel, and, if necessary, referred to the Sheriff for final decision. The right of a non smoker to protect his/her health and comfort should prevail over an employee's desire to smoke.

Employees who are found smoking in any County facility, other than that indicated, will be considered in violation of this policy and will be subject to the discipline in the same manner and magnitude as violations of other department policies.

Receptacles for disposal of smoking materials will be provided at the designated smoking area.

CESSATION PROGRAMS:

Surveys reveal that nine out of ten smokers would like to quit smoking. When smoking is restricted in the workplace, many employees and individuals report that they can more easily quit smoking. Contact the Sheriff, Undersheriff or County Human Resources Office for information reference smoking programs for employees.

__________________
Harold Barr, Sheriff

January 7, 2000
_____________
Date