The Teton District Board of Health will likely vote this week on a rule that would bar smoking in all public buildings, bars, restaurants and ski resort lines.

Board members are expected to hear public comments and consider the smoke-free air rule during their meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Teton County commissioners’ chambers.

An overwhelming majority of comments county health manager Terri Gregory received were in favor of the rule.

The health department has received nearly 40 responses since the public comment period began at the end of January. Gregory said she would make the comments public before the board meeting.

The ruling would apply to bars and restaurants and prohibit smoking within 20 feet of public buildings.

All county eateries and pubs in Teton County, except the Virginian Saloon, already voluntarily ban smoking. Proponents of the rule say a countywide regulation will keep establishments from changing that.

The board began pursuing a smoking ban last fall.

Attempts to get the Jackson Town Council to pass an ordinance that would prohibit smoking in public places within the town limits failed because councilors felt such an ordinance was unnecessary with such few places permitting smoking.

County health boards, municipalities and states nationwide have been taking up the issue in recent years with mixed results and varying restrictions at workplaces and public areas. A statewide proposal to ban smoking in public places died in the Wyoming Legislature last month.