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CHARLOTTE, NC – If you drive around Uptown Charlotte, you will see people smoking just feet away from the doors of the courthouse and government center. Right now, that’s legal.
Mecklenburg County Health Director Marcus Plescia wants to change that. Plescia wants to ban all tobacco products on government property and at public parks and golf courses in Mecklenburg County.
“I think this is what it takes. People can say it’s too extreme, but one out of three people who die of cancer die because of tobacco products. That’s extreme! That’s a problem, and it’s time to take that problem seriously,” said Plescia.
Plescia says one out of every five residents in Mecklenburg County uses tobacco products. He says people will be more likely to quit if it’s banned on all city and county owned property.
“To say you can’t smoke here is kind of like a dictatorship,” said John Bogans, a North Charlotte resident.
“I think it’s a good idea. Everyone shouldn’t be subjected to the secondhand smoke. I think it’s actually disrespectful,” said Lajuana Hill, an East Charlotte resident.
Mecklenburg County Commissioners will talk about the health department director’s smoke-free proposal Tuesday night.
“His job is health, but my job is to make sure the people are happy. Everybody pays taxes, so I want everyone to be able to enjoy our beautiful parks,” said Commissioner Pat Cotham.
Cotham says she talked to about 95 Mecklenburg County residents at 10 parks and a golf course to get their take on a possible ban. She posted her finding on her Facebook Page.
“I was certainly looking for smokers. I only saw one smoker,” said Cotham.
Plescia says at least 20 counties in North Carolina are already enforcing smoking bans on government grounds.
Tobacco use is currently banned at at Uptown’s Romare Bearden Park.
“Parks are for the children, for seniors, for birds. Not for smoking and contraband. It just shouldn’t be allowed,” said Hill.
The health department is holding a public forum on the smoke-free recommendation on August 11th at 6p.m. at the Government Center.
Commissioners will hold a public hearing in September.
