The Board of Commissioners finds as follows:
(A) Numerous studies have found that tobacco smoke is major contributor to indoor air pollution;
(B) Reliable studies have shown that breathing sidestream or secondhand smoke is a significant health hazard for certain population groups, including children, elderly people, individuals with cardiovascular disease and individuals with impaired respiratory functions, including asthmatics and those with obstructive airway disease;
(C) Health hazards induced by breathing sidestream or secondhand smoke include lung cancer, respiratory function, bronchial-constriction and bronchial-spasm;
(D) Nonsmokers with allergies, respiratory diseases and those who suffer other ill effects of breathing sidestream or secondhand smoke may experience a loss of job productivity or may be forced to take periodic sick leave because of adverse reactions to same;
(E) The smoking of tobacco or any other weed or plant is a proven danger to health. Accordingly, it has been determined that the health, safety and general welfare of the residents of, persons employed in and persons who frequent this town would be benefitted by the elimination of smoking in designated enclosed places, including places of employment; and
(F) Additional studies have found that electronic nicotine delivery systems, or generally “electronic cigarettes,” contain chemicals that are potentially toxic to humans, and that inhaled secondhand electronic cigarette emissions/vapor are harmful to non-users, as the mist contains heavy metals and other toxic pollutants. As a result, the Dare County Health and Human Services Board prohibited all such devices in all restaurants and bars in Dare County in 2015.
(`88 Code, § 13-60) (Ord. 92-01, passed 1-13-92; Am. Ord. 17-4, passed 6-10-19)