LUMBERTON — With smoking no longer permitted in enclosed areas of bars and restaurants across the state, Robeson County health officials want to make sure that business owners and others understand the state’s new no-smoking law.

Today at 10:30 a.m., an Ashtray Dump Day observance will be held at Lumberton City Hall. During the event business owners can dispose of their now unnecessary ashtrays, as well as learn the details of the no-smoking regulations.

“This event is to promote compliance of the law,” said Whitney McFarland, public health educator for the Robeson County Health Department. “We want everyone to comply.”

McFarland said that during the event, restaurant owners will be able to pick up no-smoking signs to post in their windows, brochures explaining the new law, and coasters advertising no smoking.

To help businesses in disposal of ashtrays, dump sites will be available through Monday at town halls in Lumberton, Red Springs, Fairmont and St. Pauls. The Pembroke dump site will be located at the town’s recreation complex.

Also at 11 a.m. today, at the Village Station restaurant in Lumberton, there will be an event promoting the “Clear the Air Coupon” campaign, which offers the public a 10 percent discount off meals at participating restaurants.

McFarland said the coupons, which were published in The Robesonian on Friday, will be good for the 10 percent discount at 20 participating restaurants this Saturday and Sunday only.

According to McFarland, the new smoke-free regulations will affect more than 265 restaurants and bars in Robeson County.

“Some of the businesses have already been complying with the new guidelines,” she said.