Ban's benefits

Publication Date: 2011-11-22

• Author:Paul M. Stone
• Publication:The News & Observer

The N.C. Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA) is thrilled with the N.C. Division of Public Health's report that heart attacks are down 21 percent since the smoking ban in restaurants and bars went into effect in January 2010, as you reported on Nov. 9. Although certainly other factors contributed to this decrease, the elimination of smoking in North Carolina's restaurants and bars is rightly given credit as the biggest factor.

NCRLA proudly supported this legislation. Not only are the vast majority of North Carolina citizens happy with the new law, restaurants and bars have seen no lasting negative effect since the ban. In fact, many establishments have experienced an uptick in business since January, 2010.

Although NCRLA's support of the final bill was a key factor in its passage, the efforts of N.C. Prevention Partners, former Rep. Hugh Holliman and Sen. Bill Purcell need to be recognized. Despite living and serving in a tobacco state, these progressive leaders insisted that fairness and health trump tradition and money.

Our restaurant and hotel members across the state are proud to be an integral part of improving the health and well-being of North Carolinas citizens.

Paul M. Stone

President & CEO, N.C. Restaurant and Lodging Association

Raleigh