Charlotte Pride Festival Partners with Mecklenburg County for First Tobacco-Free Zone at First Ward Park
CHARLOTTE — In a major health-focused shift, the Charlotte Pride Festival has partnered with Mecklenburg County Public Health to establish the event’s first-ever tobacco-free zone at First Ward Park this weekend.
The initiative, set for both Saturday and Sunday, prohibits smoking, vaping, and all tobacco product usage within designated areas of the festival grounds, according to a Mecklenburg County announcement. The effort is part of a larger public health campaign to protect attendees from secondhand smoke exposure and support those trying to quit.
Prioritizing Health in the LGBTQ+ Community
Charlotte Pride’s move to go tobacco-free is grounded in data: studies have shown that members of the LGBTQ+ community have significantly higher smoking rates than the general population. Festival organizers and public health officials believe that offering a smoke-free environment can help reduce that disparity while promoting wellness during one of the city’s largest cultural events.
According to officials, the tobacco-free zone will not only protect non-smokers but will also serve as a supportive space for those aiming to quit tobacco use.
Support Services Offered On-Site
Beyond banning tobacco products, the festival is also offering direct health resources on the ground. Visitors will have access to:
- QuitlineNC for counseling and smoking cessation support
- Free HIV and STI testing
- Naloxone distribution to combat opioid overdoses
This combination of services is part of a broader wellness initiative aimed at serving diverse health needs within the LGBTQ+ community and festival-goers alike.
A Step Toward Inclusive Public Health
“This is more than just a policy — it’s a symbolic and practical step toward equity in health,” said officials from Mecklenburg County, citing the disparities in tobacco use rates among marginalized groups. By embedding public health directly into the heart of the celebration, the initiative reflects a growing trend among U.S. cities to merge community pride events with public wellness programming.
Organizers hope that the visibility of health services at such a widely attended event will destigmatize seeking care and foster a broader conversation around LGBTQ+ health advocacy.
Do you think more festivals in the Chicago suburbs should follow Charlotte’s example with health-focused, tobacco-free zones? Share your thoughts with us at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com and let us know what changes you’d support at local events.
