The statewide smoking ban in bars and restaurants went into Saturday, and the Surry County Health and Nutrition Center has is planning a series of Tasty Tuesday events to celebrate the ban.

Many health departments across the state are hosting local events to celebrate the law, according to Thomas Williams, media relations specialist for the Surry County Health and Nutrition Center.

The Surry County department will be participating with local restaurants to promote the Tasty Tuesdays campaign. Each Tuesday in January from 12 to 2 p.m., health officials will be at local restaurants to hand out free giveaways and educational materials and to answer customers’ questions about the new law. Participating restaurants will also be giving out free gift cards or other items to customers.

The officials will be in Dobson at Tlaquepaque on Jan. 5; in Mount Airy at 13 Bones on Jan. 12; in Elkin at The Coffee House on Jan. 19; and in Pilot Mountain at Cousin Gary’s on Jan. 26.

Donna Parks, tobacco free coordinator for the health center, said in a press release, “We are encouraging everyone to celebrate ‘Tasty Tuesdays’ by going out to eat every week in January to show support for the new smoke-free restaurants and bars law and to express their appreciation to the restaurants and bars that are doing their part to create a healthier North Carolina.”

She went on to say, “You don’t need a coupon or any special equipment to celebrate Tasty Tuesdays — just head out to eat on Tuesdays in January.”

The smoking ban, or North Carolina House Bill 2, was passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Bev Perdue in May. The law requires restaurants and bars to be smoke free indoors. The law includes any venue that serves food and is inspected by the health department or is ABC permitted. This will affect around 200 businesses in Surry County.

Health officials applaud the bill. Parks said, “The new smoke-free law will help protect workers and customers from the known health hazards of secondhand smoke, and may encourage many folks to eat out more than ever, now that doing so will be safer.”

But restaurant owners have provided mixed reactions to the ban. Still, the owners or operators will have to comply with the law or pay a fine up to $200 per day of non-compliance. Even restaurants that are already smoke free will have to put up a sign and remove smoking receptacles.

Johnny Easter, environmental health director, said his office will first give restaurants a warning, then a letter and follow-up.

“It’s more educational at first. We’ve got to give a grace period,” Easter explained.

But after warnings have been exhausted, then restaurants and bars will have to pay the fine.

“I hope it doesn’t come to that,” said Easter. “I don’t foresee it coming to that.”

The environmental health office will be made aware of violations from complaints or when inspections are conducted.

For more information about the law or to report a violation, visit www.smokefree.nc.gov or call the CARE-LINE at 1-800-662-7030. People may also call the Surry County Health and Nutrition Center Environmental Health Division at 401-8325.

Contact Meghann Evans at mevans@mtairynews.com or 719-1952.