In 1990, New Hanover County Commissioners passed a smoking ordinance that would require restaurants to be at least 25% non-smoking, bars to post signs stating whether smoking is allowed, and places of employment to provide smoke-free areas for workers. The ordinance also banned smoking in service lines, elevators, restrooms, and polling places. The vote taking place a day before tobacco markets opened was not well received by some. Governor Jim Martin told the Star News “I wish they wouldn’t do that. There are some areas where it is appropriate to have divisions.” Ag commissioner Jim Graham told the Star New that the vote was “sort of a slap in the face to our tobacco growers.” Graham went on to comment “You reckon they’ll pass a resolution telling people not to go to the beach?”
