The proposed ban - up for a County Council vote today - also would extend to dozens of public parks, trails and outdoor recreation areas.

Salt Lake City and nearly two-thirds of the county's suburbs already have pronounced similar smoking prohibitions.

"We have the right - given the [U.S. surgeon general's] finding that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke - to say that we are not going to tolerate it," Republican County Councilman David Wilde said Monday.

But the measure could light up controversy among council members who remain divided about whether golf courses should abide by the same smoke-free standard.

Democrat Jenny Wilson likely will push an amendment that would curb smoking in clubhouses, but not on the fairways.

"As long as it is not affecting someone else," she said, "I don't think it's my duty to regulate."

The proposed law change - endorsed by the Salt Lake Valley Health Department last week - would render smoke-free nearly 100 parks and recreation facilities from the Jordan River Parkway to the Salt Lake County Equestrian Center. It also could affect Sugar House Park and Mill Creek Canyon.

As for smoking scofflaws? Don't expect a fine or jail time. The county simply would kick them out of the parks.

Democratic Councilman Jim Bradley hadn't made up his mind Monday on the measure, but described it more as a message than a meaningful change.

"If we are going to make a statement that we don't want smoking, that's fine," Bradley said. "But this is probably overreaching."

jstettler@sltrib.com