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January 1, 2013 <br /> • "Soft Implementation" no penalties for non-compliance <br /> Start with focus on 3 key areas <br /> • Cessation <br /> • Public Education / Communication <br /> • Signage <br /> July 1, 2013 <br /> • Enforcement begins <br /> Implementation Philosophy <br /> • Education and empowerment are the essential components to the adherence of this <br /> Rule. Enforcement will only be used when absolutely necessary. <br /> Presentation turned over to Board of Health Chair, Tony Whitaker <br /> Board of health's rationale <br /> • Tobacco use and exposure to smoke are leading preventable causes of illness and <br /> death in Orange County <br /> • There is no safe level of second hand smoke <br /> • Orange County is one of the healthiest counties in the state, in part due to the fact that <br /> we are a progressive leader in public health <br /> • Boards of Health have the responsibility to protect the public's health and to adopt rules <br /> necessary for that purpose (NC GS 130-39(a)) <br /> • BOH was committed to a deliberative, inclusive, thoughtful process that spanned nearly <br /> 2 years <br /> BOH Chair Tony Whitaker said that there has been a dramatic and immediate positive <br /> impact on public health in communities across the country where smoking bans have been <br /> implemented. He said that the BOH has the authority to implement rules for the protection of <br /> the public health, as well as a mandate and the ability to do so because of legislation. He said <br /> there has been a lot of time spent sifting through the logistics and legal basis for actions the <br /> County might take, and he outlined sources of information. <br /> Commissioner Price asked how enforcement will play out. <br /> Colleen Bridger said experience with experience with no-smoking in restaurants has <br /> shown that the majority of enforcement is done with education by fellow citizens. She believes <br /> this will be the same situation in the vast majority of cases with the new rules. She said it is <br /> anticipated that this could be burdensome to law enforcement; and systems are being <br /> designed to re-direct any 911 calls regarding this away from law enforcement. She said there <br /> are teams of educators being sent to heavy smoking areas, such as the courthouse. These <br /> teams will do as much as possible to educate and divert the burden from law enforcement. <br /> She made a comparison to the open container law and the discretion required in the decisions <br /> regarding when and where enforcement is needed. <br />