Purpose
Lincoln County Public Library (LCPL) is dedicated to providing a welcoming, healthy and safe environment for customers and staff. Due to acknowledged health hazards arising from exposure to secondhand smoke, it is the policy of Lincoln County Public Library to provide a smoke and tobacco free environment for employees, customers and vendors.
Policy
- The use of any smoke or tobacco product is prohibited by employees, customers and vendors on property that is owned, operated, leased, occupied, or controlled by LCPL, including company vehicles in these areas.
- Smoke or tobacco products may be used within private vehicles that are parked 25 feet from an entrance to the building or an air intake vent.
Definitions
- Smoking: Inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, or pipe.
- Tobacco Products: All forms of tobacco, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, water pipers (hookahs), electronic cigarettes (vaporizers), and smokeless tobacco products. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) are not considered a tobacco product.
- Property: Buildings and structures, grounds, parking lots, sidewalks, and vehicles.
- Employee: Any person who is employed by LCPL
- Customer: Any person who is not an employee of LCPL who visits a LCPL location to visit with staff, seek information, receive materials, provide trainings, attend meetings or programs, or is on LCPL property for any other reason.
- Vendors: Any person who delivers goods, supplies, or seeks to set up services, whether a contract is in place or not.
FAQ
Q: When Does the Smoke/Tobacco Free Property Policy go into effect?
A: January 1, 2018
Q: What does “Smoke/Tobacco Free Property” mean?
A: The use of any smoke or tobacco product is prohibited by employees, customers and vendors on property that is owned, operated, leased, occupied, or controlled by LCPL, including company vehicles in these areas.
Q: Can I use smoke/tobacco products in the parking lots?
A: Smoke or tobacco products may be used within private vehicles that are parked 25 feet from an entrance to the building or an air intake vent.
Q: Who is affected by the policy?
A: The policy applies to every person who visits LCPL property, including employees, customers, and vendors.
Q: What does the term “smoking” mean?
A: Inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, or pipe.
Q: What is considered a “tobacco product” and therefore prohibited by this policy?
A: Tobacco products are all forms of tobacco, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, water pipes (hookah), electronic cigarettes (vaporizers), and smokeless tobacco products. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) are not considered a tobacco product.
Q: Why is the Library implementing a smoke and tobacco free property policy?
A: Lincoln County Public Library (LCPL) is dedicated to providing a welcoming, healthy and safe environment for customers and staff. Due to acknowledged health hazards arising from exposure to secondhand smoke, it is the policy of Lincoln County Public Library to provide a smoke and tobacco free environment for employees, customers and vendors.
Q: Do employees, customers, and vendors have to quit using tobacco?
A: No, the Library is not asking anyone to quit. This policy simply means that no one is allowed to use tobacco products on LCPL property. For anyone interested in quitting they can contact Quit Now Kentucky at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
Q: What happens if I violate the policy?
A: You will be asked to stop using the smoke/tobacco product. If you refuse to comply, you will be asked to leave the property.