RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue is making an event out of a smoking ban in the state’s restaurants and bars.

Perdue on Tuesday will preside over a bill-signing ceremony in the Old House Chamber of the State Capitol Building.

The measure passed last week would allow fines of up to $50 for people who smoke after being asked to stop, and up to $200 for managers who’ve been warned twice to enforce the rules.

Perdue said last week that the smoking restrictions are a historic step to protect health in what is still the country’s biggest tobacco-growing state. She said she has vigorously supported efforts to reduce and eliminate smoking.

More than 30 states have passed similar legislation. Virginia adopted a ban in March despite its 400-year history with tobacco.