The Renville County Board of Commissioners passed a policy on July 26, 2011 declaring all Renville County owned grounds, county vehicles, and equipment to be “Tobacco Product Free” effective January 1, 2012. This policy excludes county parks, trails, and fairgrounds. The goal of the tobacco free worksite is to improve the health of all employees, clients, visitors, vendors, and contractors. After carefully considering multiple viewpoints the commissioners voted to adopt a tobacco free policy for county owned grounds, vehicles and equipment based on recommendations from the Renville County Wellness Worksite Team.

The Renville County Wellness Worksite Team has been working with Blue Cross Blue Shield Prevention Center and the American Lung Association to survey the needs of the Renville County employees. One of the findings of the survey pointed to employees asking for a decrease in exposure to second-hand smoke. After reviewing the current smoking policy, it became apparent to the Wellness Worksite Team members that a new tobacco policy would be appropriate.

After reviewing best practice tobacco-free policies from Hennepin, Kandiyohi, Lyon and McLeod counties, the Public Health Law Center and the American Lung Association, Wellness Worksite Team members drafted a tobacco-free policy for Renville County. The new policy is intended to support a healthy environment for all employees and visitors. It is not intended to force anyone to quit and support will be provided to those who want to quit. The Wellness Worksite Team will be working to provide information regarding the policy and will also provide support for smoking cessation.

Many communications and notices have been used throughout the past four months to make the employees and community aware of the new changes in tobacco use on Renville County property. The week of December 27 signs will be posted in county owned parking lots and on some county buildings.