Believe it or not.....This city is about to be smoke-free! Our agency required all employees to attend a mandatory meeting regarding this new policy, Check out the article that was in the paper. Thank goodness I'm now a non-smoker,
DURHAM – Beginning Aug. 1, Durham residents will have fewer places to light up.
Durham County’s Board of Health Smoking Rule, which was adopted by the Durham County Board of County Commissioners in February, will take effect then. The rule will prohibit smoking in the following areas:
-- City and county of Durham grounds.
-- City of Durham parks system (including playgrounds and athletic fields).
-- Durham County trails and parks.
-- City and county bus stops (including a radius extending 100 feet around the bus stop, excluding any private property that may fall in that radius).
-- Durham Station Transportation Center (except as specifically designated).
-- Durham Train Station (except as specifically designated).
-- Sidewalks (owned, leased, maintained by the city or county of Durham and border Durham County property, city of Durham property, any public schools or hospitals).
The new Durham County Human Services Building, which houses the Durham County Health Department and Veterans Services, and its adjacent parking areas, will become tobacco-free under the new rule, meaning that the use of all tobacco products, including snuff and chewing tobacco, will be prohibited.
The Department of Social Services, which will move into the building in 2013, will also be included in the tobacco-free zone.
A kickoff event and educational fair, to include local leaders as well as elected and health officials, is scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 1 in Bay 7 on the American Tobacco Campus in downtown Durham.
"While the Board of Health initially expressed some reticence regarding the Smoking Rule, we decided to move forward after realizing the health benefits to the citizens of Durham, and based on feedback, the readiness of the public to move forward in implementing the rule,” said Sue McLaurin, Durham County Board of Health chairwoman.
Due to the upcoming changes, through November, the Durham County Health Department will offer monthly multi-week Fresh Start smoking cessation classes to those interested in kicking the habit. To register for Fresh Start, call 919- 560-7765.
For more information on the Durham County Board of Health Smoking Rule, visit www.durhamcountync.gov/departments/phth/Smoking_Ordinance.html or call the Health Department at 919-560-7600.
Read more:
The Herald-Sun - Tighter smoking restrictions go into effect Aug 1
