Smoke-Free Mecklenburg is a local grassroots coalition of health care professionals, advocacy groups and individuals committed to bringing smoke-free restaurants, bars and workplaces to Mecklenburg County.

The NC General Assembly passed a law in 1993 (GS 143-595-601) prohibiting any local government from banning smoking in public places. Smoke Free Mecklenburg is asking for an exemption from this law for Mecklenburg County. If granted, this exemption will allow the county to pass its own ordinance, if it chooses to do so, which will protect its citizens, workers and visitors from the health hazards of secondhand smoke.

See how North Carolina works to change laws and the history of preemption for a better understanding of the context for this effort.