N.C. starts Web site to guide smoke-free transition

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina has launched a Web site to help the state's bars, restaurants and hotels to kick the smoking habit for good.

Beginning Jan. 2, state law requires places that serve food and drink to go smoke-free. To help in the transition, business owners and customers can go to http://www.SmokeFree.NC.gov to get information on the new law.

The site was launched by the N.C. Division of Public Health in collaboration with the N.C. Association of Local Health Directors.

It also describes the health hazards of secondhand smoke and provides resources to help those smokers who may want to quit. There are downloadable fact sheets, no-smoking signs and other tools to help make the move to smoke-free air.