Smoking ban smolders

Publication Date: 2005-03-28

• Author:MIKE STOBBE
• Publication:Charlotte (NC) Observer

The movement to ban smoking in Mecklenburg restaurants and bars is a high-profile affair, involving national media coverage and a bill before the N.C. legislature.

But it began quietly, with four friends on a West Coast vacation.

The four Charlotte-area residents-- all in their 20s and early 30s -- spent nine days in California in June 2003. They started in San Diego and drove up to Los Angeles, Monterey, the Napa Valley and San Francisco.

When the Charlotte Observer asked readers for their opinions, 350 of 483 who responded supported the idea. Of those opposed, 30 were from a public relations firm representing the Philip Morris tobacco company.

But Myrick's task force voted against an ordinance. Instead, they adopted a resolution (proposed by restaurant owners) to ask restaurants to make accommodations for nonsmokers voluntarily.

"None of us are smokers," said one of the travelers, Linda Littlefield, who is now 24.