The proposed regulation aims to install safeguards against secondhand smoke and to encourage children to equate healthy lifeÂstyles with smoke-free behavior.

"Utah is behind the curve on this," said Davis County Health Department Director Lewis Garrett. "Many states have already put regulations in place restricting smoking in outdoor places."

Impetus for such regulations stem from a surgeon general's report that found no level of safe exposure to secondhand smoke. Garrett said that three of the top 10 causes of death are linked to smoking.

The ban would encompass publicly and privately owned outdoor public spaces, and would also extend to within 25 feet of incidental outdoor gatherings, such as bus stops, fast-food lines, ticket lines and people waiting to use restrooms or automatic teller machines.

The proposal would allow business owners to establish a designated smoking area, within certain parameters, by obtaining a permit from the Health Department.

The ban would blanket the entire county to include all cities, towns and unincorporated areas. Golf courses - except for fairways - would be included.

Those caught lighting up in the wrong place could be charged with a class B misdemeanor and fined $25 on the first offense. Each subsequent violation - within two years from an initial offense - could bring a $100 fine.

Any police officer or code-enforcement officer could enforce the ban, Garrett said.

If approved, the regulation would take effect Jan. 1, 2008. No-smoking signs would be posted in every outdoor public place by June 1, 2009.

Input from Tuesday's meeting could be used to modify the regulation, which is scheduled to come before the county's health board June 12 for final approval.

cmckitrick@sltrib.com