Health board supports ban on indoor smoking

Publication Date: 2009-03-12

• Author:Kathy Chaffin
• Publication:Salisbury Post

The Rowan County Board of Health wants smoking banned in all indoor work sites and public places.

Board members voted unanimously Tuesday night to go on record in support of N.C. House Bill 2, which would require work sites and public places in North Carolina to become smoke-free.

Chairperson Barbara Andrews said she believed there was an urgent need for the board to take a stand as a vote on the bill may be coming up soon.

Dr. Jim Cowan, Allied Health Services director and Healthy! Rowan coordinator for the health department, said House Bill 2 will go from the Health Committee to the Appropriations Committee before coming up for a vote on the House floor. "If it passes the House, it will go to the Senate," he said.

The last time legislation banning smoking from work sites and indoor places came up, it was defeated by a 61-55 vote. "That's quite close ..." Cowan said, "so hopefully this is the year."