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N.C. smoking ban upheld by complaint system 

The smoke officially cleared Jan. 2 in North Carolina, but public health officials say it could take a few more months for the dust to settle with the state's new indoor smoking ban.

Some warning letters have gone out to businesses not complying, but most owners appear to be adhering to the new rules, said Erin Morrissette, tobacco prevention educator for the New Hanover County Health Department.

Morrissette, who is fielding complaints made about New Hanover County establishments, said the ones made so far appear to be about owners getting used to the law and not repeat violators.

"I think that we're pretty typical as far as comparing to other states" that have adopted smoking bans, she said. "Always in the very beginning, it takes about six months for them to basically drop off to just the people who are going to just not follow the law."

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