PORT TOWNSEND — About two months after voter-approved Initiative 901 took effect and banned smoking inside and near public businesses, Jefferson County Public Health is firing up to enforce the law.
County Environmental Health Director Mike McNickle, during a public meeting Thursday at the Spruce Room of the Washington State University Extension Office in Port Hadlock, laid out the proposed enforcement approach.
“We are drawing a line in the sand,” said McNickle.
“We’re really trying to promote public health here.”
Five-tiered approach
The approach in the county’s draft enforcement procedures has five tiers, each coming into play when Public Health receives a complaint that a business is not complying with the law.
The law prohibits smoking inside public businesses, including restaurants and bars, and within 25 feet of entrances and windows that open.
When Public Health receives a complaint about a business not following the smoking ordinance, department officials will issue a written warning asking the person or persons in charge of the business to comply with the law.
A second complaint will warrant a written notice ordering the violator to comply with the law.
A $100 ticket will be issued in response to a third complaint.
If a fourth complaint is received and the violating business serves food, its Food Service Establishment permit will be suspended until the business takes action to comply with the law.
The Food Service Establishment permit can be permanently revoked on the fifth violation, but the revocation can be appealed by the business owner.
If a business does not serve food, McNickle said $100 citations will be issued for each additional complaint.