In 1988, New Hanover County voted unanimously to ban smoking in buildings owned or leased by the County. Although no buildings were exempted, Felix Cooper, the County Manager, noted that the department heads to submit reasons why their offices should be excluded from the smoking ban. One the areas noted as likely to receive an exemption was the jail. Sheriff Joe McQueen said, “I do not feel I can order these people not to smoke.” Noting that smoking can be a good management tool in jail. The commissioners approved a 60-day grace period. The ban went into effect on September 19th.
