Voices sought on smoking ban

Publication Date: 2005-03-23

• Author:CARRIE LEVINE
• Publication:Charlotte (NC) Observer

Mecklenburg legislators say county officials need to speak up for measure

Mecklenburg County commissioners must heavily back a bill giving them authority to ban smoking in bars and restaurants if it is to pass the state legislature, several local legislators said.

"If they want this, they really should be lobbying pretty hard because it's hard for us to lobby our colleagues for a local option if the locals aren't lobbying us," said Rep. Becky Carney, D-Mecklenburg.

State Sen. Daniel Clodfelter, D-Mecklenburg, said the county board included the proposed ban on its legislative agenda and said it had been requested by outside groups.