Commissioners ban smoking on all Travis County property
Travis County Commissioners Tuesday voted to expand existing tobacco-free-workplace rules and prohibit tobacco on all county properties.
County health officials have been working since March of 2011 to prepare for the change, performing employee surveys and supervisor surveys, and holding informational meetings.
The health department will return to commissioners court in about two weeks to explain the educational components that go with the new rule.
The county estimated that about 20-percent of its employees are smokers, and has lined up considerable resources to support anyone who wants to quit smoking.
The rule goes into effect on April 7, which is World Health Day.