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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The Utah Department of Health is shutting down the outdoor smoking area for its employees.
The move is part of an effort for its workplace be completely smoke-free by Jan. 1.
For years, the 12-acre Cannon Building campus has maintained an outdoor smoking enclosure for state employees.
David Sundwall, director of the state health department, says it's the department's duty to prohibit tobacco use at its buildings.
He made the announcement Thursday as part of the 32nd annual Great American Smoke Out.
Sundwall says the health department is offering its employees free or low-cost counseling, nicotine patches or other ways to help stop smoking.
Sundwall is urging other state leaders to take similar steps at other state buildings.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
