In 2006, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a report clearly stating that exposure to secondhand smoke is a serious threat to the public’s health, and eliminating smoking in all indoor workplaces and public places fully protects nonsmokers from this threat.
In North Carolina, tobacco use is the number one cause of premature death, and approximately 13,000 people lose their life to smoking-related deaths each year. Our state recently took a major step in addressing this health concern.
On January 2, 2010, a new law went into effect banning smoking in enclosed areas of all North Carolina restaurants and bars – and many other businesses – across the state. Under the law, smoking is no longer permitted inside 1) restaurants and other health-inspected businesses that serve food, 2) bars that hold ABC permits to serve alcohol, and 3) lodging establishments that prepare and serve food and drink.
So far, the vast majority of restaurants and bars are complying with the new law. As of Valentine’s Day, the state had received complaints against only 370 businesses out of more than 24,000 businesses that are subject to the law. With the large number of businesses affected by this brand new law, we expected that there needed to be some time to make sure businesses and the public understood the law. As the word gets out, and more people understand the law, we anticipate there will be even fewer cases of non-compliance.
If a business appears to be allowing smoking, anyone can file a complaint through www.smokefree.nc.gov or by calling the N.C. CARE-LINE at 1-800-662-7030. Restaurants and bars that do not come into compliance may receive two warning letters and then a fine of up to $200 per day.
The success of this law marks an important step in moving North Carolina toward becoming a healthier state.
For information on resources in North Carolina to help you quit smoking, visit the North Carolina Quit Line www.quitlinenc.com/ or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
For more information on the law, visit www.smokefree.nc.gov .