Local option seen on smoking ban proposal

Publication Date: 2007-04-18

• Author:Margaret Lillard
• Publication:Wilmington (NC) Star-News

A ban on smoking across North Carolina, bounced back from the House floor in a dispute over business owners' rights, again won the support of a House committee Tuesday in a weakened form that put much of the onus for restrictions on local governments.

The modified bill still bans smoking statewide in restaurants, hotels and state government office buildings. It specifically excludes restaurant-bars that are age-restricted and smoking-designated hotel rooms.

Local governments would have the authority to override those exceptions and to bar or restrict smoking in public places, workplaces, local government buildings, public transportation and schools.

The measure will now be rescheduled for a full House vote.