BOH minutes 012710 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH January 27, 2010 Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 5 January 27, 2010 Christopher Cooke felt that it was dangerous to put this health issue under the umbrella of “no fault” with a lack of scientific evidence as is stated in the documentation. There being no motion to move on any recommendation until further discussion this topic was deferred for consideration at a future meeting. C. Update on H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Vaccinations In the interest of time, no verbal report was presented. The Chair directed the handout be shared with Board members. D. Implementation of the New Smoke-Free Law North Carolina’s new smoke-free law went into effect January 2, 2010 prohibiting smoking in enclosed areas of bars, restaurants and portions of lodging establishments. The NC General Assembly passed the law based on findings that secondhand smoke has been proven to cause cancer, heart disease, and asthma attacks. Under the law, a business owner must: • Post required no-smoking signs in conspicuous locations • Remove indoor ashtrays and other smoking receptacles, and • Direct any person who is smoking to extinguish the cigarette, cigar or other lighted tobacco item Enforcement measures for noncompliance with the law include: • For an individual who smokes in prohibited areas – a $50 fine for infraction to be issued by a law enforcement officer • For a business owner who fails to comply – an administrative penalty issued by the Health Director of not more than $200 per day of violation after two written warnings. Orange County applied for and received a small grant to assist in disseminating materials and educating restaurant and bar owners about the upcoming law. The state has encouraged county health departments to engage in a substantial amount of education prior to enforcement of this law. They recommend that enforcement be primarily applied on a complaint-only basis. A statewide complaint reporting system is in place to allow the public to register complaints online or by phone. Complaints are forwarded to Health Departments on a weekly basis. The public may also complain directly to the local health department and then we would report these complaints to the state as well. In the first week, Orange County received one complaint for violation of the law by the owner of a hookah bar. A warning letter was delivered to the business in accordance with protocol which was developed for enforcement. The Board of Health should be aware that there is a provision for an appeal to the Board of Health as part of the statewide process for enforcement implementation. The same rules apply to this appeal process as currently applies to appeals for well or septic permits.