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Clark County Health Department Highlights Updates to County's Smoking Ordinance

Tuesday, September 29th, 2026 -- 12:01 PM

The Clark County Board of Supervisors voted on September 17, 2026, to approve several updates to the county’s smoking ordinance, marking the first major revision since 2010.

Clark County Health Officer/Director Brittany Mews stated, “Nicotine products have greatly evolved over the last 16 years, with new items continually entering the market. These companies are constantly trying to make their products appeal to young people. When the county last updated the smoking ordinance in 2010, vaping was fairly uncommon and electronic cigarettes were still a niche product.”

According to the University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute, 19% of Clark County adults currently smoke cigarettes, one of the highest rates in Wisconsin, and vaping among youth remains a concern, with 11% of Clark County high school students reporting recent use of an electronic vapor product (Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey).

Updates to the county’s smoking ordinance were developed collaboratively by Clark County Forestry and Parks, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the Clark County Health Department, and Clark County Corporation Counsel.

The draft changes were approved by the Clark County Board of Health on August 14, 2026. The full County Board then approved the second reading of the ordinance updates on September 17, 2026, with a vote of 23 in favor, 4 opposed, and 2 absent.

The four significant updates to the ordinance include:

  1. Vaping is now prohibited in all county-owned locations where smoking was already prohibited
  2. No smoking or vaping within 20 feet or less of the perimeter of a playground under the ownership or control of Clark County
  3. No smoking or vaping within 20 feet or less of any unenclosed pavilion under the ownership or control of Clark County
  4. No smoking or vaping within 20 feet or less of the Clark County Courthouse building single-point entrance.

County representatives say the revisions aim to create healthier public environments and reduce secondhand smoke exposure, particularly in spaces frequented by children and families.

Signage updates are being funded by Aspirus Health and placement will begin in the coming months.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.