COVID-19 Alert
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued
guidelines saying people who smoke and vape are at higher risk for more severe complications and hospitalization if they get COVID-19. The CDC found that more than 70% of hospitalized and ICU coronavirus patients had one or more reported underlying health conditions like lung disease, diabetes, or heart disease — all of which have been linked to smoking.
Smoking and vaping can also increase the risk of spreading coronavirus. There is a great deal of hand-to-mouth contact, which can increase the spread of coronavirus on droplets from the mouth, and coughing while smoking or vaping can spread the virus whether or not the infected smoker is showing symptoms.
What you need to know: Important facts on smoking and COVID-19 from QuitlineNC.
Need Help Quitting?
These resources are available to help you quit tobacco or vaping.
Tobacco-Free Mecklenburg Quit Guide
Visit
QuitlineNC >>
NC Quitline for Fathers (Spanish)
#DITCHJUUL
The most recent National Youth Tobacco Survey showed e-cigarette
use—primarily JUUL—was up 78% among high school students and 48% among middle schoolers in just one year. In addition, the frequency of use among current high school e-cigarette users surged with nearly 28% vaping more than 20 times per month.
You can get help quitting by texing DITCHJUUL to 887-09.
Click here for more information.
Vaping Health Alert
A health alert was declared in mid-2019 after a national outbreak of lung injuries associated with e-cigarette, or vaping, product use. Health authorities have seen progress, with emergency room visits related to e-cigarette products declining after peaking in September 2019.
Click here for the latest information from the CDC.
Anyone who uses e-cigarette products and experiences
symptoms should seek medical care promptly.
Mecklenburg County Public Health and its state and federal partners remind residents of the following:
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Youth and young adults should not use e-cigarette products.
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Women who are pregnant should not use e-cigarette products.
- Adults who do not currently use tobacco products should not start using e-cigarette products.
- Residents should not buy these products off the street (for example, e-cigarette products with THC or other cannabinoids).
- Residents should not modify e-cigarette products or add any substances to these products that are not intended by the manufacturer.
Mecklenburg County Policies
Here is a list of resources to communicate with stakeholders (county/municipal employees, public, etc.) about Smoke-Free Government Grounds or Tobacco-Free Parks regulations in Mecklenburg County.
One-Page Summary
Board of Health Rule for Smoke-Free Government Grounds
Tobacco-Free Parks Ordinance
Frequently Asked Questions
All government-owned buildings, vehicles, and property (grounds) are smoke-free in Mecklenburg County, City of Charlotte, CATS transit system, and the towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill , and Pineville. This is a Mecklenburg County Board of Health Rule.
All Mecklenburg County-owned parks, greenways, and park property are tobacco-free. Exceptions include county golf courses and some regional parks. This is a Mecklenburg County ordinance.
We Want to Hear From You
If you identify a signage or enforcement issue regarding Mecklenburg County's Smoke-Free Government Grounds rule or Tobacco-Free Parks ordinance, or if you would like to share a comment about the impact of these health-related laws, please email us. Thank you for your feedback!
Follow Tobacco-Free Mecklenburg
Follow Tobacco-Free Mecklenburg on social media for the latest in national, state, and local tobacco-related news, policies, issues, and resources:
County services are operating at a limited capacity. Questions about COVID-19? Call Public Health Hotline: 980-314-9400