Council on Monday night voted unanimously to implement the new rules effective January 1, 2013, after a brief public hearing was attended by a half-dozen or so people, mostly young parents.

The rules cover the tobacco in the workplace – the prohibition of smoking or any use of the so-called electronic cigarettes on public property or on public transport, the food industry, parks, outdoors, such as in a restaurant or in a city-sponsored events. The second purpose of regulating smoking or tobacco use of minors through any “nicotine delivery system”, many of which may be present can be obtained in compliance with the requirements, signs and penalties.

“It’s right here a huge victory for the city,” said James J. Wilusz, Director of Public Health Tri-City Health Department, which covers Lee, Lenox and Stockbridge. “It’s just a reflection of leadership.”

Wilusz works with the Board of Health by a grant from the state health department to develop rules that are modeled on the rules and other cities throughout the district and the existing statutes of the state. 20-year-old Tri-City in the tobacco awareness program also includes Dalton, Egremont, Great Barrington, Hancock, Monterey, Sandisfield, Otis and Pittsfield.

Health Inspector Manuel Serrano said the board has worked to this point during the year. Members were particularly impressed Wilusz gave a presentation on the ways that tobacco companies merchandising their products, especially for children.

“It was just mind blowing,” said Serrano, describing the smokeless tobacco products similar to Teak.

Wilusz said that the city was one of the highest rates of smoking by 20 percent, compared to the national average of 14 percent of the population, and the highest for teenagers.

At Berkshire Community Partnership for a Tobacco-free, smoking is the reason number 1 preventable mortality and morbidity in the country. Wilusz said that more than 1,200 people in the U.S. die each day from smoking-related causes, but that the two run for each death.

“If we move to a healthier community, tobacco is a major priority,” he said, estimating the Board for action.

Lynnette Bond Street Holbrook said her concern was for her young children, especially her one-year-old, who “was interested in finding each stub is available.”

“I’m so tired of coming to the site and see how people smoke all the time and flicking their cigarettes,” said Bond. “It has become a serious problem for me.”

She found like-minded parents in the family resource center, and during the discussion of what can be done, find out about public hearings on Monday. Bond said she put out a message quickly Facebook, which has received about two dozen, and met with some parents at the game and coming up with a petition she presented to the board.

Amy Hall, director of the Family Resource Center, said her organization supports the ban on smoking, especially in parks and playgrounds.

“We hear from parents all the time,” she said. “We actually agree on where we’re going to do, according to which there is less smoke.”

Another mother said that she would not take their children back to Eagle Beach Party street because of people dropping out of the ashes, and put out the cigarette in the sand next to the children. “That was our main goal,” said Serrano. “We’ve seen it on many things … as a former smoker, I am guilty. But it is not, and we must protect our children, and we must protect ourselves.”

He warned that the rules will not take effect until next year, giving everyone plenty of time to understand and come into compliance. City may place non-smoking signs at events this summer, but with no rules, there would be “no teeth” to make his performance, said Serrano.