Smoking ban starts Saturday

Publication Date: 2010-01-01

• Author:Monica Chen
• Publication:Durham (NC) Herald Sun

Bars and restaurants across the state are bracing for the sea change that will come at the stroke of midnight tonight.

Patrons from that point on will be banned from smoking in most dining establishments in the state. Only a smattering of businesses are exempted -- nonprofit private clubs, country clubs, cigar lounges and tobacco shops...

The ban reflects a trend toward nonsmoking public spaces and businesses in recent years.

An Elon University poll in March found about two-thirds of North Carolinians backed a ban on indoor public smoking. Eight in 10 said they consider secondhand smoke a threat to their health.

Many area bars and restaurants have already gone nonsmoking ahead of the ban.