County officials weigh possibility of additional smoking restrictions

Publication Date: 2009-11-10

• Author:Vicky Eckenrode
• Publication:StarNewsOnline.com

Local county health officials are considering new smoking restrictions once the statewide ban on puffing in bars and restaurants takes effect Jan. 2.

Largely overlooked during the debate over the law, which puts an end to smoking inside in most bars and restaurants, a provision in the new ban will extend the power of local governments to pass their own ordinances to snuff out smoking.

In the existing law, cities and counties in North Carolina can only ban smoking inside local government buildings, around health departments or departments of social services and on public transportation vehicles.

When the new smoking law takes effect, local governments can restrict smoking in more places if they want.

"When they passed the smoking ban, they removed the local restrictions to smoking laws," Brunswick County Health Director Don Yousey said. "Our county for some time has wanted to make the (county government) complex smoke-free."

Private homes, private vehicles, tobacco shops, private clubs and actors smoking in performances are specifically listed in the state law as hands-off from any new local bans, which can impose a $50 fine.