Time Warner Cable Arena to go smoke-free March 18

It’ll soon be lights out for smoking at Time Warner Cable Arena.

A smoking ban starts there March 18, the Charlotte Hornets announced Monday, because the building falls under new regulations for government-owned buildings in Mecklenburg County.

The arena is home to the NBA team, the Charlotte Checkers and numerous concerts and other events.

In October, county commissioners banned smoking on county and municipal grounds, and in most parks. A county health official said at the time that the bans will reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, help people quit smoking and keep young people from starting the habit.

Because the city owns Time Warner Cable Arena, the venue falls under the new regulations, the Hornets said.

Smoking is not allowed now inside the arena, Hornets spokesman Josh Rosen said, although there are designated smoking areas outside the building.

Those designated smoking areas available during Hornets games and other events also will be eliminated. Smoking will not be allowed anywhere on the property, including the sidewalks.

And no smoking products will be allowed in the building or the grounds, the team said. That includes cigars, cigarettes, pipes and electronic cigarettes.

In an FAQ about the changes, the team said people will not be allowed to leave the building to smoke and then come back in.

The building will have signs about the new policy, and anyone violating that ban will be subject to removal from the building.

This story was originally published March 9, 2015 at 6:52 PM with the headline "Time Warner Cable Arena to go smoke-free March 18."