Proponents of a smoking ban in Teton County are expected to encourage the Teton District Board of Health to endorse an amendment to the food code prohibiting people from smoking in bars and restaurants.

“We have a number of people speaking in favor of the proposal and the effects on the public caused by secondhand smoke,” Julia Heemstra, program director for Teton County Tobacco Prevention, said Thursday. “Over the two years we’ve been working on this, we’ve garnered more support.”

The proposal is on the health board’s agenda for Tuesday. The public meeting begins at 9 a.m. and will be in the public health building’s boardroom.

Jackson Town Council members have snuffed previous attempts at passing a ban in recent years, claiming such a law was unnecessary. All but one of Jackson’s bars and restaurants have voluntarily barred patrons from lighting up. The Virginian is the only establishment that currently allows smoking, but supporters of the ban say a regulation is necessary because the voluntary bans could be reversed at any time.

The measure under consideration Tuesday would bypass the Town Council.

Dr. Brent Blue spoke before the board at its July meeting, requesting the board classify cigarette smoke as a toxic substance and add a section to the restaurant regulations saying restaurants could not expose patrons to toxic fumes and substances.

Public health county manager Terri Gregory said that she expects the coalition to ask the board to make a motion and draft the necessary wording. A 45-day public comment period would follow before the proposal could be approved.

The board is also expected to hear an update on the Centering Pregnancy program, which provides expectant mothers who may not have access to prenatal care with information about nutrition and health in a group setting.

Gregory said the health department is working with local doctors to assist with the effort. The Wyoming Community Foundation gave the department a $10,000 grant to begin the project.