North Carolina (NC) - beginning in January 2010 fire safe cigarettes ( FSC), smoking ban in public places..

December 27, 2009 - New state laws taking effect in the beginning of January will make cigarettes more fire safe, but will also prohibit smoking in public places or places of employment.

On Aug. 24, 2007 the NC general assembly signed the Fire Safety Standard and Firefighter Protection Act into law. This legislation would require cigarette manufacturers to produce and sell cigarettes which would go out after a few short moments if not drawn on. New York was the first state to pass such laws in 2004.

A ban on public smoking in the state will also go into effect on Jan. 2, 2010. The statewide ban was signed into law by Gov. Bev Perdue on May 19 of last year. The law according to the bill will make smoking “prohibited in all enclosed areas of restaurants and bars.”

The public smoking ban will exclude a number of specific businesses and will not apply to: research facilities studying tobacco, designated smoking rooms in lodging establishments, private residences or vehicles, cigar bars, private clubs, tobacco product manufacturing premises and actors using tobacco in a live production set.

FSC cigarette details: According to General Statute 58925, the general assembly reported cigarettes to be “the leading cause of fire deaths in this state and the nation.” This finding along with others corresponds with a study conducted by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The study, titled “U.S Smoking-Material Fire Problems,” found that between the years of 2003 and 2006, 40 percent of fatal home smoking material fire victims were sleeping when they were injured; 34 percent of material fire victims were attempting to escape, to fight the fire or to rescue others. The report also states that in the year 2005, an estimated 800 civilian deaths resulted from cigarette related fires. FSC laws have become effective in all other states except Wyoming. - For more information see reference..

Public Smoking Ban Details: According to the bill North Carolina Session Law 2009-27, forbidding public smoking in public establishments, businesses will be required to post signs easily in view of the public “clearly stating that smoking is prohibited.” Indoor ashtrays must also be removed by businesses. Anyone who has been directed to put out their cigarette and still breaks the law will be fined no more than $50. - For more information see reference..

Reference: Change has come for smokers in NC New law promises to help the state ‘kick the habit’ in public places by Davin Eldridge Contributing Writer, The Macon County News, 12/23/2009.

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