The City of Merrill’s Common Council approved amending the prohibition of smoking in certain areas ordinance on Tuesday, June 14th . This was after the Health and Safety Committee’s approval. The amendments include adding electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices, as well as, amending the current definition of smoking within the ordinance. A public hearing regarding the ordinance was held during the meeting, after no members of the public spoke on the subject, the council voted unanimously to approve the amended ordinance.
Under the amended ordinance, the use of electronic smoking devices is prohibited in public places and places of employment, in addition to cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and synthetic nicotine. The definition of smoking has been updated to include the use of an electronic smoking device.
“Smoke-free indoor spaces is an important public health practice that helps protect the health of all people by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke,” said Shelley Hersil, director of the Lincoln County Health Department. Hersil continued, “Amending the ordinance strengthens that practice by including electronic smoking devices in the clean indoor air ordinance”.
The Northwoods Tobacco Free Coalition (NWTFC) is focused on advancing health equity by decreasing prevalence rates and preventing initiation among those who are most disproportionately impacted by commercial tobacco.
“This ordinance supports a comprehensive approach to tobacco prevention and control efforts throughout the state,” continued Shelby Moore, the NWTFC Coordinator. “An ordinance like this is one layer of the inclusive strategies that addresses the youth vaping epidemic, and works to change the social norm where commercial tobacco is less desirable.”
To learn more about commercial tobacco prevention efforts in the Northwoods please reach out to Shelby Moore at smoore [at] co.oneida.wi.us or at 715-369-6115.
The mission of the Northwoods Tobacco Free Coalition is to promote the health of the residents of Florence, Forest, Lincoln, Oneida, Price and Vilas Counties by preventing and reducing the use of tobacco products and nicotine addiction through leadership, public information, community involvement and policy development.