WATERLOO - Black Hawk County has been warned by state health officials to enforce a smoking ban on courthouse grounds.

The Iowa Department of Public Health has received complaints about violations of the Iowa Smokefree Air Act near the courthouse entrance. In a letter to county officials, the agency warned the county could be subject to fines for future violations.

Building Maintenance Supervisor Louis Cutwright said it was unclear whether those apparently violating the law were employees, who could be subject to disciplinary action, or members of the public doing business at the courthouse.

The law, which took effect July 1, 2008, effectively prohibits smoking in the courthouse and on the public areas surrounding the building. Smokers at the courthouse are required to move to the sidewalks adjacent to the streets.

"They should not be lighting up their cigarettes ... until they get to the public area" by the street, Cutwright said.

County Board of Supervisors member Craig White suggested the county consider putting up more signs in the courthouse parking lot to emphasize the smoking ban.

Board chairman Frank Magsamen said the county does police violations.

"Quite frequently we have to ask people to move to the public sidewalk to smoke their cigarettes," he said. "The last thing we want to do is incur a fine that the county has to pay."