County adds 'teeth' to no smoking ordinance

By Bobby Horn Jr.
news@casscountynow.com

LINDEN-- On Aug. 23, the Cass County Commissioners Court approved a ban on smoking at the courthouses. When the court met again Sept. 13, they added some “teeth” to that ordinance by imposing penalties and extending the non-smoking area.
The Cass County Historical Courthouse, in downtown Linden, and the Cass County Law Enforcement and Justice Center on Highway 8 were declared “non-smoking campuses.” Where previously smoking was allowed outside the buildings, now no smoking will be allowed on county property.
The county said that in addition to traditional tobacco products, e-cigarettes or vaping is included in the ban.
Under the revised order approved Sept. 13, no smoking of any kind would be allowed “on all county owned and/or leased property, including vehicles, within all county owned and/or leased buildings or campuses.”
These include not only inside the buildings, but also on the grounds of the property. The only exception to the ordinance is in a designated “employee only” area behind the Law Enforcement and Justice Center.
According to the county, this ordinance falls under the “Violation of Smoke Free Environment” law, which is a Class C Misdemeanor punishable by fine not to exceed $500 for each violation.