Senate passes smoking ban

Publication Date: 2009-05-08

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

North Carolina took a step closer to a ban on smoking when the state Senate voted Thursday to make it illegal to light up in restaurants and bars.

If the bill becomes law, the nation's No. 1 tobacco producer will have a significant restriction on a product which drove its economy for generations.

This version of the ban is less strict than one passed by the state House of Representatives, which in turn was less strict than the original proposal to ban smoking in almost all workplaces and places frequented by the public.

Senators voted 26-18 for the ban.

Under the Senate's bill, smoking would be illegal in restaurants and bars. Businesses that illegally allow smoking could be fined $200, but only on the third violation. People who smoke illegally after being told to stop could be fined $50.

There would be exemptions for cigar bars, tobacco shops and private clubs -- such as country clubs and nonprofit fraternal organizations, but not bars and nightclubs which have operated as "private clubs" to comply with state alcohol sales laws.