Blog by Ruth Petersen MD, MPH, Chronic Disease and Injury Section Chief, Div. of Public Health
 
North Carolinians are already reaping the benefits of the new smoke-free law for restaurants and bars that went into effect this year.

A recent study shows an 89 percent improvement in air quality in restaurants and bars since implementation of the new law.  The dramatic improvement shows the impact of the new law in protecting workers and patrons from tobacco smoke.

The North Carolina Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch uses devices called Personal Aerosol Monitors to assess the air quality in restaurants and bars.  The monitors are used to measure the amount of particles smaller than 2.5 micrograms in diameter in the air.  These tiny particles, called PM 2.5, are one of the many dangerous components found in tobacco smoke.  The particles are drawn into the lungs and are known to cause breathing problems and lung disease, contributing to premature deaths.  Between 2009 and 2010, the air quality measured in a sample of restaurants across the state improved by 89 percent.

With approximately 13,000 smoking-related deaths in North Carolina each year, the new law and improved air quality mark significant changes to improve health in our state.  Compliance with the new law continues to be strong, with health officials receiving only six complaints for six businesses out of approximately 24,000 by May.

For more information about the smoke-free law, and other issues around secondhand smoke, visit www.tobaccopreventionandcontrol.ncdhhs.gov.