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Health dept. final authority on smoking ban

Friday, January 01, 2010 3:00 AM | Printer friendly version | E-mail to a friend |

What happens to smoking ban violators? According to Lynn Aldridge of the Rowan County Health Department, enforcing the law and reporting violators extends to common citizens, local police, health officials and the state.

The enforcement of the ban is done on a local level, with the health department director having ultimate authority, as well as a designee. The first violation warrants an educational letter that is sent to the business. The second violation sends a stronger letter. The third violation warrants a $200 per day penalty for violators. Individuals can be fined $50 per violation.

"Law enforcement can issue an infraction (on the business), and ultimately, the health department or state can ask for an injunction," Aldridge said. Citizens also have a hand in the new law.

The following are three vehicles for citizens to report violators:

- Fill out a violation informational form at www.smokefree.nc.gov.

- Call the toll-free number to report a violation at 1-800-662-7030.

- Contact the local health department at 704-216-8777.

Once the information is submitted, it is passed to the state. Once a week the state will notify the local health department of the complaints, and the health department will then investigate and report back to the state.

"There are many different scenarios that will have to be looked at individually," Aldridge said. "It's going to be something new. Everyone is still learning."

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