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NC governor signs restaurant smoking ban

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue is making an event out of a smoking ban in the state's restaurants and bars.

Perdue on Tuesday will preside over a bill-signing ceremony in the Old House Chamber of the State Capitol Building.

The measure passed last week would allow fines of up to $50 for people who smoke after being asked to stop, and up to $200 for managers who've been warned twice to enforce the rules.

Perdue said last week that the smoking restrictions are a historic step to protect health in what is still the country's biggest tobacco-growing state. She said she has vigorously supported efforts to reduce and eliminate smoking.

More than 30 states have passed similar legislation. Virginia adopted a ban in March despite its 400-year history with tobacco.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

(The following information is from the office of N.C. Governor Bev Perdue.)

Gov. Perdue Signs Legislation Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Restaurants

RALEIGH - Gov. Bev Perdue today signed House Bill 2, which prohibits smoking in public bars and restaurants. Rep. Hugh Holliman and Sen. Bill Purcell led the efforts to pass this landmark legislation. The smoking ban will go into effect on Jan. 2, 2010, and will be enforced by local health directors.

"This is a historic day for North Carolina," said Perdue. "But more important than the history that we are making is the positive impact we are having on public health. By banning smoking in our restaurants and bars, we will greatly reduce the dangers of secondhand smoke and lower health care costs for families."

According to a report by the United States Surgeon General, secondhand smoke causes the death of approximately 50,000 citizens a year. In addition, a study prepared by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina found that exposure to secondhand smoke costs North Carolinians $289 million annually.

"I am extremely happy with this legislation becoming a reality. This is a gigantic step in improving the public health for the citizens of our great state, and I'm glad I was able to play a part in making this bill a law," said Holliman.

"This new law is a significant step for public health in North Carolina.  Restaurant and bar patrons and employees will no longer be exposed to the dangers of secondhand smoke.  I want to thank Rep. Holliman for all his hard work in this important step forward for our state and its future," said Purcell.