A policy banning outdoor tobacco use on county-owned property is disappearing like smoke.

The proposed policy would have banned tobacco use on all property owned, leased or controlled by Lancaster County - including buildings, grounds, parking areas, and offices and road shops in small towns.

The County Board had discussed the proposal several times with the idea of having it in place by Tuesday.

But that won't happen now.

At a Thursday staff meeting, Commissioner Larry Hudkins called it a burden to use county employees acting as "police" to enforce the ban.

Sue Eckley, the county's risk manager, said a training program - similar to one used by BryanLGH Medical Center - would be conducted and a protocol established for approaching violators.

Commissioner Deb Schorr supported the tobacco policy, saying the County Board is "expected to be a leader" on the health issue.

Chairman Bernie Heier said he supported an indoor smoking ban, but not a ban outside, calling it "too much government."

The board never voted on the no-smoking policy, but it did approve a smoking cessation policy for employees.

In April, the Lancaster County Medical Society had offered the county a $5,000 matching grant to help employees buy nicotine patches, medication and other items to help them stop smoking.

Eckley said she has received about a half-dozen calls from employees interested in the cessation program. She estimated about 100 employees would take advantage of it.

Hudkins said if the association withdrew its offer, he would support the board funding a similar program.

The board voted 3-2 to fund the cessation program if the medical association withdraws its offer. Eckley said she would discuss the issue with an association representative soon.

The program would be offered on a first-come, first-served basis and employees would only be reimbursed after completing it.

The county has an existing ban that dates to 1992 and prohibits employees from smoking in buildings, offices, vehicles and equipment owned or leased by the county.

The city of Lincoln follows a separate policy that allows smoking in designated outdoor areas. But the city has shown an interest in a tobacco-free campus policy that would cover places like the County-City Building, the home of both local governments.

Reach Algis J. Laukaitis at 402-473-7243 or alaukaitis@journalstar.com.