NC Alliance applauds efforts to pass law

By Pam Seamanss

History was made with the stroke of midnight on January 2, 2010, as North Carolina’s restaurants and bars became smoke-free, thus protecting the health of hundreds of thousands of workers and patrons. Making history often does not come easily, and neither did the passage of House Bill 2 (HB 2)—especially in a state with a strong
history in the farming and manufacturing of tobacco.

Many organizations, individuals and legislators joined the NC Alliance for Health in working toward the historic passage of HB 2. Public health advocates were deeply involved in this effort and should be proud to see the results of their hard work in each smoke-free sign displayed in a restaurant or bar. The implementation of HB 2 shows that calls, emails and visits to legislators make a difference in letting your voice be heard.

With the passage of the legislation, supported broadly last spring by the public health community and by the state’s restaurant and lodging association, North Carolina becomes the 26th state to have smoke-free restaurants and bars. The bill was sponsored in the House by Rep. Hugh Holliman (D-Davidson), a lung cancer survivor, and in the Senate by Sen. Bill Purcell (D-Anson, Richmond, Scotland, Stanley). Additional co-sponsors included Rep. Jeff Barnhart (R-Cabarrus); Rep. Rick Glazier (D-Cumberland); Rep, Wil Neumann (R-Gaston); and Rep. Jennifer Weiss (D-Wake).

In addition to these legislative champions, our state also owes a debt of gratitude to Governor Perdue for pursuing this issue. Thanks to their perseverance and commitment to improving North Carolinians’ health, we can all now breathe easier in restaurants and bars. It is important as this new law takes effect that we take a moment to thank our elected officials for making restaurants and bars smoke-free. And while you are at it, thank the owners and managers of the restaurants and bars. Let them know how much you appreciate the opportunity to dine and relax in a smoke-free environment.

While we have succeeded in creating smoke-free workplaces for employees in restaurants and bars, there remain many more worksites in North Carolina where employees are not protected from the dangers of secondhand smoke. The North Carolina Alliance for Health and our partnering organizations will continue to work at the state level to expand protections from secondhand smoke to include all workers and worksites in our state.

There is also opportunity to expand protections at the local level as well. House Bill 2 gives local governments the authority to enact their own, more comprehensive policies. With further action at the local level, even more North Carolinians can enjoy smoke-free air.

While the implementation of HB 2 is certainly cause for celebration, we must continue the hard work to ensure the law is followed and to protect those groups still exposed to second-hand smoke.

For further information about the North Carolina Alliance for Health and its policy priorities, visit www.ncallianceforhealth.org Learn more about the health effects of secondhand smoke by visiting www.smokefree.nc.org . (Pam Seamans is NC Alliance for Health’s Executive Director)