City Council members voted Tuesday night to prohibit smoking outside city hospitals and health clinics, though they said the move would not be a precursor to a citywide smoking ban.
The ban, effective immediately, applies to St. Francis Hospital and Health Center, the city’s largest employer, as well to all other medical, dental, nursing home and health-care facilities.
Mayor Donald Peloquin said the city worked with local health officials to draft the smoking ban. Smoking is now prohibited at all entrances and exits to health-care facilities. The ban also covers public sidewalks that serve the facilities.
The ordinance requires health-care operators to post no-smoking signs and remove ashtrays from the grounds of hospitals and health clinics.
Violators could face fines of $50 to $250.