asheville, No Smoking Ban Begins on January 2

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No Smoking Ban Begins on January 2

North Carolina has approved a ban on smoking in restaurants and bars beginning in January. A fine of $50 for smoking in bars or restaurants and $200 for owners who repeatedly allow it will be imposed. North Carolina joins 28 other states who have already imposed similar bans.

In addition, beginning January 2, Buncombe County will no longer provide smoking areas in or around their buildings as smoking will be prohibited on all county property. Any person and/or county employee violating the provisions of this ordinance shall be responsible for an infraction, and the person committing the infraction may be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50).

The County ordinance states that no person shall smoke, carry or possess a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or other lighted smoking equipment/paraphernalia in any Buncombe County buildings, on Buncombe County grounds, or in Buncombe County vehicles.

* Local government building -- a building owned, leased, or occupied by Buncombe County.
* Grounds � An unenclosed area owned, leased, or occupied by Buncombe County.
* Vehicle � A passenger-carrying vehicle owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by Buncombe County and assigned permanently or temporarily by Buncombe County to Buncombe County employees, agencies, institutions, or facilities for official Buncombe County business.

Why?

Secondhand smoke from a lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe, or any other lighted tobacco product has been proven to cause cancer, heart disease, and asthma attacks in both smokers and nonsmokers. In 2006, a report issued by the United States Surgeon General stated that the scientific evidence indicates that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Buncombe County is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace in all County facilities and on all county property for its employees and the visiting public.

On May 19, 2009, the State of North Carolina passed �An Act to Prohibit Smoking in Certain Public Places and Certain Places of Employment� thereby authorizing local governments to adopt and enforce ordinances that are more restrictive than State law and that apply in local government buildings, on local government grounds, in local vehicles, or in public places.

(Image provided by Buncombe County.)