The American Lung Association in North Carolina commends Governor Bev Perdue and lung health champions Rep. Hugh Holliman and Sen. Bill Purcell, as the law they supported goes into effect on Saturday, January 2, prohibiting smoking in public restaurants and bars.

“This will be an historic day for North Carolina and the health of its citizens,” said Deborah Bryan, North Carolina State Executive for the American Lung Association. “The new law is a landmark step forward in the fight for healthy lungs and air in North Carolina.”

There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Every year, secondhand smoke causes 35,000 deaths in the U.S. In North Carolina, more than 1,600 adults, children and babies die each year from others' smoking. Less exposure to secondhand smoke means fewer cases of lung cancer, heart disease, and acute respiratory infections, along with less frequent and less severe asthma attacks, for the nonsmoking public.

For years, the American Lung Association has been working to protect North Carolinians from secondhand smoke by pursuing legislation for smoke-free public places. There have been several incremental victories: all school facilities and functions are smoke-free; hospital buildings and grounds are smoke-free; state-owned vehicles and state buildings are smoke-free; and employers can require employees to be nonsmokers if it relates to the business. This new law is another step toward smoke-free public places in North Carolina.

“The addition of smoke-free bars and restaurants to this list means that the lung health of patrons and employees will be protected,” Bryan said. “The new law is a great victory on the road to making our public places completely smoke-free, but there is still more to do. The American Lung Association in North Carolina will continue to work toward the day when all public places are smoke-free.”

The Lung Association encourages all North Carolinians to take part in “Tasty Tuesdays” this month. Go out to eat every week in January to show support for the new law and let bar and restaurant owners know how much you appreciate the smoke-free atmosphere.

For more information about the law or to report a violation, visit www.smokefree.nc.gov or call the CARE-LINE at 1-800-662-7030 1-800-662-7030 .

For smokers who would like to quit, the American Lung Association offers support online at www.QuitterInYou.org and by phone at 1-800 LUNG USA 1-800 LUNG USA ( 1-800-586-4872 1-800-586-4872 ).