Healthy Lungs at Play in Alamance County

In July 2013, Burlington City Council voted unanimously to amend Burlington’s smoking ordinance to prohibit smoking in specific kid-frequented ares of city parks. 

Burlington’s Recreation and Parks director had received many complaints about secondhand cigarette smoke at parks’ play areas and  youth athletic events. After a public hearing, the ban was put in place to protect children from harmful effects of secondhand smoke.

The smoking ban is in effect for the city’s playgrounds, swimming pools, restrooms, dressing areas, youth athletic fields, tennis courts, spectator areas, BMX track and amusement ride. Smoking will also not be allowed at concert areas.

Prior to the ban, students from Cumming High School picked up cigarette butts in Burlington’s parks. They collected 461 butts in Burlington parks alone and 1,477 in parks throughout the county. Supporters from SafeKids of Alamance County and Healthy Alamance’s Child Asthma Coalition also sent letters in support of the smoking ban.

The Community Transformation Grant Project is providing funding to purchase signs that will be placed in all City of Burlington parks. 

Congratulations to Alamance County on this tobacco-free living success!

Burlington Smoking Ordinance

In November 2012, Burlington’s City Council passed an amendment to the city’s smoking ordinance banning smoking in businesses adjacent to restaurants.

According to North Carolina state law, smoking is already prohibited in restaurants. The new amendment helps ensure smoke from nearby businesses does not drift into restaurants.

Since December 1, 2013, smoking has been prohibited in “enclosed areas to which the public is invited or allowed when such enclosed areas are located within a building or structure which houses multiple tenants or occupancies, and such enclosed area or business is located immediately adjacent to a restaurant located within the same structure.”

Currently in Burlington, there are 108 restaurants that are immediately adjacent to other businesses. And there about 160 adjacent tenants whose businesses will now have to be smoke-free, or issued citations for noncompliance. The fire department and city staff have notified businesses adjacent to restaurants.

To view the ordinance please visit: http://www.burlingtonnc.gov/index.aspx?nid=1438