All 12 branches in the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library system are now smoke- and tobacco-free. (RECORD PHOTO/GREGG PARKER)

MADISON COUNTY – Puff, if you must, before heading to check out that latest best-seller.

All 12 branches in the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library system are now smoke- and tobacco-free. The new health policy to ban smoking and use of tobacco products went into effect on Jan. 1 and includes all library vehicles and grounds.

“The purpose of this policy is to provide a healthful environment for library employees and visitors,” communications director Ann Marie Martin said. “The policy prohibits smoking of any kind, including tobacco-less E-cigarettes and all other electronic smoking devices, and using tobacco products of any kind.”

Library employees will ask any visitor violating the policy to extinguish smoking materials. “Failure to comply will result in a request to leave the building and grounds,” Martin said.

“Tobacco use is also strongly discouraged on all public or private property adjacent to the grounds of any library facility due to fire and personal safety issues,” Martin said.

For more information, call 256-532-5940 or visit hmcpl.org.