Charlotte leaders push for smoking ban

Publication Date: 2008-05-06

• Author:Bryn Hough
• Publication:News 14 Carolina, NC

There is a revived effort to ban smoking in public places in Mecklenburg County. Members of the State Legislative Delegation met with local leaders Monday morning. As part of its legislative wish list, local leaders asked for the authority to ban smoking.

If they get that wish, those who enjoy lighting up anywhere they want could be forced out of Mecklenburg County. The ban that local leaders are asking for would ban smoking in public places like restaurants and bars.

"Mecklenburg County has a very short list of requests because we were successful last year and we worked very hard and were able to secure many of the things needed last year,” said Deborah Long Goldberg, an official with the Mecklenburg County Manager's Office.

The smoking ban was just one issue discussed at the 2008 Legislative Lawmakers Breakfast on Monday. This is a time when local leaders outline their needs from the state.