On November 20, 2012, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted 6-1 in favor of adopting a rule to ban smoking in public places.
The ban applies to property owned by Orange County and the municipal governments, including parks and sidewalks. Smoking will also not be allowed on private property where the public is invited. The UNC campus and other state governed facilities will continue operating under their existing smoking ordinances and will not be affected by the new rule.
The idea of a smoke-free public places ordinance in Orange County originated two years ago when a group of County high schools students approached the Board of Health, requesting they consider adopting such a rule. The Rule was brought to a vote following a public hearing on October 24, 2012, and passed 10-1.
To view the Rule and additional data, please visit http://orangecountync.gov/health/smoke-freepublicplaces.asp
The ban applies to property owned by Orange County and the municipal governments, including parks and sidewalks. Smoking will also not be allowed on private property where the public is invited. The UNC campus and other state governed facilities will continue operating under their existing smoking ordinances and will not be affected by the new rule.
The first step of the rule will be an education period beginning January 1, 2013. Full enforcement of the rule will go into effect on July 1, 2013. A $25 fine will be issued to any violators, but the current emphasis is being placed on awareness of the consequences of secondhand smoke and reversing people’s behavior in an effort to improve the County’s overall quality of life.
The idea of a smoke-free public places ordinance in Orange County originated two years ago when a group of County high schools students approached the Board of Health, requesting they consider adopting such a rule. The Rule was brought to a vote following a public hearing on October 24, 2012, and passed 10-1.
To view the Rule and additional data, please visit http://orangecountync.gov/health/smoke-freepublicplaces.asp
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