A new state law seems to be working to make sure diners don’t deal with smoke when they eat.
The Richmond County Health Department says it has received only one complaint of a business out of compliance with the smoking ban in resturants, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t others out there.
“We’re now in the follow-up process with that business,” said Mike Norton, environmental health director. “Other than that, it has been pretty quiet.”
According to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Web site, users have filed two complaints in regards to smoking in Richmond County businesses.
Scotland and Anson counties have none and Moore county has received one.
Environmental Health works in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies with the smoking ban. The health department allows officers to issue the citations since handing out tickets is generally out of the health department’s hands.
However in some instances they are allowed to step in.
“We’re not the smoking police, we’re told,” Norton said. “That falls into the lap of local law enforcement.”
Although, Norton went on to say that if they continue to receive complaints about smoking, the health director will step in to speak with management and issue a citation.
According to state law, the smoking ban allows for few exemptions. They include hotels and motels which can have 20 percent of guest rooms set aside as smoking; cigar bars that meet specific requirements; private clubs - country clubs or organizations with selected membership - which are operated by the membership, have non-profit status, and provide restricted food and lodging services; establishments that are exempt from the state’s sanitation laws.
Norton explained that any bar or club which allows access to the general public, is not a private club. This usually requires the club’s management to charge a membership fee.
“It’s going to be a slow process,” Norton said. “It’ll probably come down to the Attorney General in Raleigh.”
If customers have complaints, Norton said there are ways to file grievances. Speaking to the health department or local law enforcement is one of them. In addition people can call 1-800-662-7030 or visit www.smokefree.nc.gov which lets visitors check how many complaints have been filed in their county and provides a place to file one themselves.
“We’ll just keep trudging right along with this,” Norton said. “Even though it’ll probably be later than sooner.”
Staff writer Bryan Stewart can be reached at 997-3111 ext. 15 or by e-mail at bstewart@yourdailyjournal.com.
Aslo, what about the rights of your other patrons. Don't they have any rights or are smokers the only ones who have a right.
It is against the law to kill yourself. I say make it legal to kill youself in your own home. Allow insureance companyies to charge a extreme surplus to anyone who smoke (or even deny or withdraw insurance all together). Let smokers smoke till they die, make thier familes pay for everything and get them to smoke to. Any one want to do the same by eating rat poison, be my guest. It is all the same.
By law he can come in carrying a concealed weapon, using any profanity he deems OK, but if he lights up he has committed a crime.
Also, if he has a prescription for medical marijuana, can he be considered to be taking his medication, and is that illegal too.
No one under 18 is allowed in my bar and 90% of my clients smoke, as do I.
Is this just another step in government easing into our personal lives and eroding our rights? Smoking is bad for you, we all know that, but it is a legal product and is taxed beyond the limits and if we make a personal choice to smoke it should be our right to do so.