Current Update on the Proposed Smoking Ban – October 2020
First approved by the board in December of 2019, the rule would effectively ban smoking and tobacco use throughout the county in public spaces. It will now be decided by the 5 member County Commissions at one of their upcoming 3 meetings. DBA believes this far reaching ban and it’s language will be detrimental in many ways for our downtown businesses and our tourist season. Covid-19 has already made it difficult for our downtown businesses by impacting both tourism and local foot traffic. Imagine if an out-of-town visitor is walking on city sidewalks or the Riverwalk and gets cited for smoking a tobacco or electronic cigarette. That visitor may not be aware of this “county only” ban. The wait staff at a restaurant could be sited if the restaurant does not have the outside space to enclose a smoke only area. County Commissioner Rob Zapple appears to be the swing vote. Contact him directly to make your voice heard!
Contact:
Read the full recommendation from the New Hanover County Health and Human Services Board Revised-HHSB-Smoking-Rule-for-Vote-10202020: