Smoking or using other tobacco products on the grounds of all county-owned, -leased or -controlled property could be banned as of Sept. 1.

The ban, which is contained in a proposed "tobacco-free campus" policy, was presented to the Lancaster County Board on Thursday.

It would apply to county employees and visitors.

The city of Lincoln follows a separate policy that allows smoking in designated outdoor areas.

Under the proposed county policy, tobacco-free locations would include all property owned, leased or controlled by the county, including buildings, grounds, parking areas and offices, and road engineering shops in small towns.

Banned tobacco products would include tobacco and clove cigarettes, pipes, cigars, chewing tobacco and "any and all related smokeless tobacco products."

A county employee would be designated at each location to enforce the policy, said Sue Eckley, the county's risk manager. Violators would be subject to disciplinary action.

There are some exceptions. Smoking and use of other tobacco products would be allowed in designated outdoor areas at Lancaster Manor, the county-owned nursing home at 1001 South St., and Midtown Center, part of community mental health services at 2966 O St. The Crisis Center also may be included as an exception.

A policy that prohibits smoking in all county-owned, -leased or -controlled buildings, offices, vehicles and equipment has been in effect since 1992.

The new policy also has a provision to help employees who want to kick the habit.

The county would reimburse employees 50 percent of the cost of an approved smoking cessation program, product or medication, not to exceed $250.

Eckley said the county hopes employees take advantage of the reimbursement within the first six months of the policy's implementation date.

The primary goals of the policy are to improve the health of employees and reduce absenteeism.

"There's been a lot of interest from employees who want to quit," Eckley said. "This will be an incentive."

The policy, in the form of a resolution, has been in the works for months.

The County Board had hoped to have it in place by June 1 to coincide with a statewide ban on smoking in public places and places of employment. That ban does not restrict smoking in outdoor areas.

Still, the proposed Sept. 1 implementation date could be pushed back because the County Board would like the city of Lincoln to get on board to simplify things.

The city follows a Public Building Commission policy that prohibits smoking in public buildings but allows it in designated areas outside. There is also a long-standing policy that bans smoking in vehicles owned or leased by the city.

The proposed resolution will be discussed with Mayor Chris Beutler and sent to the Public Building Commission and the Common for consideration.

Reach Algis J. Laukaitis at 473-7243 or alaukaitis@journalstar.com.