That was increased from the previously proposed 25 feet Tuesday by the Davis County Board of Health, which approved the restrictions.
The ban will include both public and private facilities, most notably amusement parks including Lagoon and Cherry Hill. However, County Health Director Lewis Garrett said that officials at Lagoon were not opposed to the policy.
"My impression is that we will get pretty good compliance," he said.
Some exceptions will still exist. For example, smoking will still be allowed on the fairways of golf courses. However, it will not be allowed in other public areas at such facilities.
A $25 penalty will be imposed, with any infraction considered a Class B Misdemeanor.
"Both Sheriff Bud Cox and (Layton) Police Chief Terry Keefe said that if we adopt this, issuing citations will not be a top priority," Garrett said.
Signage must be in place by within two years, and will be phased in gradually. State grants should be available to cover about half of the estimated $30,000 cost, he said.
"When the signage goes up, the vast majority of smokers understand. It will be self-enforcement or peer enforcement," Garrett said.
"Smoking rates have really dropped," Garrett said, due to "massive education and billboard campaigns." Rates have dropped nationally from 30-percent-plus to 20 percent, and below 9 percent in the county.
"Two years ago the Legislature restricted smoking in bars and private clubs on a phase-in (to 2009), and smoking is restricted in public places in 38 states," Garrett said.
"In 2006 the Surgeon General reviewed all second-hand smoke findings and found there are no safe levels of exposure," he continued.
Clinton was the first city in the county to restrict outdoor smoking in public places, such as some park areas, while cities from Logan to Salt Lake City have also enacted ordinances.
Response to the smoking ban has not generated any kind of public outcry, Garrett said.
"A dozen or so were at the (May 29) public hearing," with no opposition, and only two or three written comments were against it, including one from an out-of-county resident, he said.
"Seventy percent of the comments were strongly in favor," Garrett said. "Based on the comments and polling of park users, there hasn't been a real outcry. The majority of citizens support it."
In addition, "generally positive feedback" has been received from the mayoral Council of Governments and officials from various cities, the health chief said.
"We think it's a good move, protects the public health."
tbusselberg@davisclipper.com
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