House panel OKs state office smoking ban

Publication Date: 2007-03-02

• Author:Margaret Lillard
• Publication:Wilmington Star

The ban would include buildings in the University of North Carolina system.

Smoking would be banned in all state government offices - from huge agency buildings in Raleigh to a rented shop in the local strip mall where drivers licenses are issued - under a bill approved by a House committee Thursday.

The ban would cover any building owned or leased by the state for government offices, though neighboring businesses in a privately owned building would not be included under modifications made by the Health Committee. It would also include buildings in the University of North Carolina system, sponsor Rep. Jennifer Weiss said.

"This is about state government trying to protect the health of state employees and visitors to government complexes," said Weiss, D-Wake. "Step outside and have a cigarette, and the rest of us won't be smoking. It's not that radical."