Even Carolinas pushing to snuff public smoking

Publication Date: 2006-07-09

• Author:Greg Lacour
• Publication:Charlotte Observer

New health warning fuels efforts to clear air in workplaces, eateries

Officials in the Carolinas, traditionally two of the nation's most smoker-friendly states, hope a new U.S. surgeon general's report on the dangers of secondhand smoke can boost their efforts to stub out smoking.

N.C. legislators are considering a bill that would allow community colleges to ban smoking on their campuses.

And activists plan to reintroduce a bill next year that would allow local governments in Mecklenburg County to ban smoking in all workplaces, even bars and restaurants.