Senate committee approves stricter smoking ban

Publication Date: 2009-04-29

• Author:Paul Woolverton
• Publication:Fayetteville (NC) Observer & Times

The state Senate's Health Committee voted Wednesday for a strict smoking ban in North Carolina ­ and eliminated plans to exempt bars and nightclubs from the restrictions.

State Sen. Bill Purcell of Scotland County, a physician and leading advocate for the ban, hopes to bring the bill for a floor vote in the Senate as soon as today.

Much of the rhetoric during the debate on the legislation echoed previous arguments. Proponents said a broad ban on smoking is necessary to protect the health of workers and the public in general. Opponents said individual business owners should decide whether to have smoking on their premises.

But for the first time since the legislature began debating the issue in February, a representative from a tobacco company spoke up.