Smoking in NC (Durham, Chapel Hill: chapel, day care, house)

[Grailmaiden]

We are considering relocating to the Triangle area, however, I have recently been hearing a lot about how many people in North Carolina smoke and that there are no bans on smoking anywhere. I even found a site that stated that people are allowed to smoke in daycare centers! That is appalling to me! I am ridiculously allergic to smoke and I don't want my kids exposed to it. Is the problem really as bad as it seems?

[tarheel7777]

I'd like to know what site that was. I have never heard of such a thing.

That being said, tobacco was the #1 cash crop in NC for a lot of years and smoking does have a bit of a legacy here. But it is not as bad as you've heard. A lot of restaurants allow smoking, but some have banned it altogether. In NC it is up to the establishment to choose. The bars tend to be smoky, but that's the only place I really notice it. Most businesses have smoking areas outside, but a few businesses in RTP have banned it.

I have friends who are allergic to smoke, and they live here just fine.

[Lisalrenee]

I moved here a year ago from Ann Arbor, MI, where there are heavy restrictions on smoking, and I haven't had a problem at all. Smoking in a daycare center? I can't believe it.

[Grailmaiden]

American Lung Association

scroll down to child care centers

[ausmerika]

Some towns have bans on smoking in all public places. Chapel Hill is one of them. We were at a restaurant, and opted to sit outside, thinking that my mother could smoke on the patio. No such luck. Not allowed anywhere on the premise, even outside.

[sneezecake]

I am from CA.

I have never smoked.

I hate smoke.

I was alarmed the first time I went to a restaurant upon moving here and they asked "smoking or non?"

Ultimately, it hasn't been a major issue - there have been times in a mixed bar/restaurant where someone nearby is smoking, but not enough to make me think I should have taken it more into account when deciding to move here.

Besides, it's only a matter of time before laws get passed I'd surmise.

[goat1of2]

Twenty years ago, smoking was allowed in *hospitals*! I'll never forget my shock the first time I went into one in Durham and smelled smoke wafting down the halls past patients' rooms. Those days are gone forever.

[NC~Mom]

I know of no daycares that allow smoking, regardless of what any laws state.....
Fortunately, our daycare workers are smarter than our lawmakers.

[Grailmaiden]

Wow, this is definitely sounding more promising. I live about 10 minutes from Calabasas, CA which has (what I believe is) the toughest smoking law in the country. No smoking in any public places. I love that. If I had a few million to buy a house there and stay forever I would. However, with housing prices being what they are here we just have to leave.

[lamishra]

It's really only in bars/restaurants, and even then, there are plenty of non-smoking restaurants. I will say that many of the bowling alleys still allow smoking though!
You will not find people smoking in stores, movie theaters, libraries, public buildings, day care centers (wow), malls, public transportation etc. Even cabs are all non-smoking.
Does anyone remember when movie theater seats had little ash trays in them?