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Bill introduced that would make NC restaurants and bars smoke-free

Submitted by WWAY on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 11:47am.READ MORE:

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Smoking

Tar Heel State restaurants and bars could become smoke-free. North Carolina House Majority Leader Hugh Holliman introduced a bill in the legislature Wednesday that would also include all indoor worksites and public places. Thoughts are mixed as to whether it's the right thing to do. Twenty-four states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico have already taken similar action.

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Ban it all

Submitted by Standing next to you on Tue, 02/24/2009 - 11:10am.

You won't have to wait long. Pretty soon you won't have to ban anything, because there won't be anything left to ban. Keep taxing everything and soon you won't be able to smoke,drink,bowl.... If we keep electing officials like the one's we have you won't be able to afford fresh air.

freedom of choice

Submitted by sock828 (not verified) on Mon, 02/23/2009 - 8:15pm.

It should be a business's choice to decide whether to be smoke-free or not. If you don't want to deal with smoke, then don't go to a place that allows it. As a smoker i can say that i am very respectful of people that don't smoke, i don't blow out smoke if someone is walking by and i don't stand where there are many people...i can hardly say that non-smokers are respectful of smokers. Why should smokers be the ones that have to stay at home to smoke? If you have a problem with smoke at a bar, how about YOU stay home and drink. You are not going to get cancer from walking by someone who is smoking. I'm going to smoke at a place if they allow it and if you don't like it then go somewhere else. While we're at it lets ban fat people from all fast food establishments.

I understand your point of

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/26/2009 - 11:07pm.

I understand your point of view; however, those of us that don't smoke also have the right to breath clean air. Are smokers not able to control themselves for such a short period of time, that they must be able to smoke anywhere and everywhere they please? Why not go outside to a bar's patio if you want to smoke? Why should non smokers have to stay home because they don't want to die from cancer at a young age? And yes, a person can get cancer from second hand smoke. The right to live and breath fresh air should be the priority. If you want to waste away little by litte, fin, but don't bring us down with you.

smoking in bars

Submitted by Das Weibstück on Tue, 02/24/2009 - 9:23am.

The UK (United Kingdom) banned smoking in bars/pubs a couple of years ago. We where there this year and I was not aware that they had done this. Most of the pubs put up large tents if they had space outside for the smokers to go. They were only allowed to have 3 sides closed in for some reason. Other pubs had tables outside. Trust me the pubs were still packed every night. Just like to add that the UK raised the taxes on a pack of cigs to deter smoking, they where 5 pound 50 UK a pack , that's $11.00 American dollars a pack.

Bull

Submitted by WilmingtonMAJ on Tue, 02/24/2009 - 12:17am.

No..if you smoke in a public place you are most assuredly NOT respectful because you are causing health risks to other people as well as causing yourself and others to stink! That is NOT respect!

Ban it

Submitted by VicM (not verified) on Mon, 02/02/2009 - 6:28pm.

Ban it everywhere: To quote another person that actually has a brain and can put together a thought had this to say about an earlier story about smoking: "...A smoke-free business does not ban smokers. It bans the actual action of smoking..." So, deal with being out of your stinky house and car for an hour or two without a cigarette, and let everyone actually breathe in peace while in public. If a bar wants to allow smoking, the state should put in a provision about having REAL private clubs. Not the ones like now, where it is a five minute wait to get a membership. Private where it is actually used and enforced. Let the smokers go there then they can all smoke themselves to death!!!!

The bottom line, second hand smoke is nasty and dangerous!!

Submitted by Straight Shooter (not verified) on Fri, 01/30/2009 - 11:18am.

I work in the indoor air quality service industry. I see the brown tint on everything left by Smokers. I see the brown smelly gunk left on filters and A/C equipment components damaged by smoke filled air. I'm called to smoker's homes and amazed by the damage done to their belongings by cigarette smoke, (brown stains on walls, window coverings, furniture, lamp shades and etc.) not to mention the stink. And you smokers think the rest of us should just deal with your nasty habit, I say double hell no! Go outside and blow your smoke, keep it out of all buildings!

Smoking Ban

Submitted by Guest3 (not verified) on Fri, 01/30/2009 - 8:29am.

Let's all jump on the band wagon and ban smoking. Shame on you smokers for thinking you have any rights. This is only the beginning, what choices are going to be taken away from the citizens next???? First it is attacking smokers, what is going to be the next item on the government control agenda ??? People wake up, the issue is about governement controlling your right to make decisions. I am a smoker and have always been considerate of non smokers, which is more than I can say about non smokers which have been rude and verbally abusive towards me. Let's see how tolerent they are when someone steps on their rights to say wear perfume or talk on a cell phone or drive an older car or own guns or eat food that is considered to be unhealthy......the list of what can be banned is never ending.

HOLD ON

Submitted by WilmingtonMAJ on Fri, 01/30/2009 - 2:01pm.

Talking on a cell phone and wearing perfume isn't generally believed to cause cancer. Smoking does. I should be able to go to a bar and not have to worry about one day winding up with cancer from second hand smoke. Or for that matter having breathing difficulties while i'm there and having to wash my clothes the minute I get home. Smoking is unhealthy, it stinks, it causes bad breath and a myriad of health issues. Why would anyone be stupid enough to continue smoking. This is truly beyond my comprehension. As far as the law is concerned, it should be banned in ANY public place. If you want to smoke do it at home or in your car where the rest of us don't have to breathe it in or smell bad!

OK

Submitted by Guest7969 (not verified) on Fri, 01/30/2009 - 12:50pm.

Next time I see a smoker...I'll just walk up and spray pepper spray on the ground in front of them...HEY ITS MY RIGHT to breath in pepper spray...

BAN CELL PHONES AND.....

Submitted by KrisC (not verified) on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 4:46pm.

AND EVERYTHING LOUD....EXHAUST PIPES & BOOM MUSIC IN CARS, TVS IN BARS, RESTAURANTS & DOCTORS' OFFICES, PEOPLE. THEY GET ON MY LAST NERVE.

smoking and other matters

Submitted by Louis (not verified) on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 3:36pm.

i'm a smoker and i agree with the non smokers on the ban, but i don't like it. but while we're banning stuff, lets ban all cell phone use in restaurants. i DON'T wanna hear your business or anything about your personal life while i'm trying to enjoy my meal.

I concur

Submitted by SurfCityTom on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 6:16pm.

ban cell phones in eating establishments. I'm a non-smoker; I understand many of those who frequent bars smoke. No Problem for me -- UNTIL they start waving the lit cigarette around in everyone's fact trying to make a point. Want to smoke -- go for it. Just don't wave it under my nose or in my face and make me share it with you against my will.

Right

Submitted by VicM (not verified) on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 3:33pm.

It IS the right thing to do...There is no question about and no logical debate. Once again, smoking is NOT a right, but a priviledge and it is about time that North carolina start catching up to the rest of the country. Smokers...how about YOU go someplce else when looking for a place to kill yourself and stink up the joint. This bill will probably die in some smoke-filled committee, but I am maintaining some hope that we are moving out of the dark ages.

smokeing

Submitted by et (not verified) on Fri, 01/30/2009 - 8:31am.

if you think it is so good... move to one of those states... leave us alone in NC

smoke-free

Submitted by sherry richardson (not verified) on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 2:03pm.

I agree with smoke-free restaurants, but not smoke-free bars. If you can't enjoy a drink and a cigarette when you go out to a bar, then where can you go other than be a recluse in your own home? We seem to be turning into a communist country with fewer and fewer freedoms. This really concerns me. I am a nonsmoker and get physically ill when around a lot of smoke, so I make the choice to avoid smokey areas. But that doesn't mean I think there shouldn't be ANY. Thank you Sherry

Restaurants yes, Bars no

Submitted by WilmMan on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 2:36pm.

I completely agree with you. I am a non-smoker and I can't stand it to be at a restaurant and smell/breathe second hand smoke. I wouldn't even mind having restaurants open for smokers if they could find a better way to divide the two. Bars on the other hand are completely different. There is no reason to ban smoking in bars. People go to bars to put harmful things in their body, what's the difference about doing the same with Cigs. I know that if I choose to go to a bar, there will be people smoking inside. I'm all for banning smoking in restaurants, but not bars

I am a smoker. I think

Submitted by Guest357 (not verified) on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 1:36pm.

I am a smoker. I think restaurants should be smoke free until 9pm. this way children should be gone and at home by then. Bars-no way. People should realize that smoking in bars has been around forever. If you don't like it, don't go to a bar or open up your own & make it smoke free.

It's about time

Submitted by Guest789456123 (not verified) on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 1:26pm.

I would go out more if smoke were not an issue. I like to go out...I need to breath.

I

Submitted by Guest7969 (not verified) on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 12:57pm.

AM HAPPY...ELATED...ECSTATIC...this has been a LONG time coming. HOWEVER, I do NOT agree that it should be smoke free in bars...restaurants, YES...restaurants with bars, YES until 10PM...but restaurant bars after 10 and bars should be left alone...I am NOT a smoker, but when I go to a bar, pool hall, etc...I understand people are smoking and drinking and I take that risk. I HATE, however, eating food with plumes of smoke coming over the wall...

Smoking Ban in Restaurants

Submitted by Harriett Council (not verified) on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 12:43pm.

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE WITH THE LEGISLATION TO BAN SMOKING IN RESTAURANTS. THE SMOKING AND NON SMOKING SECTIONS JUST DON'T WORK. A NON SMOKER RECEIVES THE SECONDARY SMOKE ALWAYS!!!! OH YES I DO REALIZE ABOUT THE LIQUOR LICENSES AND SO FORTH! I HAVE HAD BYPASS SURGERY AND IT DEFINITELY AFFECTS MY BREATHING WHEN I AM AROUND SMOKERS!!!! THANK YOU.

smoking

Submitted by chacoptaco (not verified) on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 12:25pm.

a person i know just found out in the past two weeks he has lung cancer that has spread to his spine and maybe his other organs as well he was a lifetime smoker. i hope this passes because smokers do have a right to smoke all they want, but smoking is detremental to both the smoker and those who live with him/her.

not smoking

Submitted by Das Weibstück on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 3:30pm.

I know a lady who died of lung cancer this year, she was 45. She never smoked a day in her life and had not been around 2nd hand smoke for any length of time. Cancer does not rely on cigarette smoke to grow.

Think about it

Submitted by Guest55555 (not verified) on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 5:15pm.

I found these key points from the American Cancer Society website: "Cigarette smoking causes 87 percent of lung cancer deaths and is responsible for most cancers of the larynx, oral cavity and pharynx, esophagus, and bladder." "Secondhand smoke is responsible for an estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths among U.S. nonsmokers each year." "Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemical agents, including over 60 substances that are known to cause cancer." "The risk of developing smoking-related cancers, as well as noncancerous diseases, increases with total lifetime exposure to cigarette smoke." "Smoking cessation has major and immediate health benefits, including decreasing the risk of lung and other cancers, heart attack, stroke, and chronic lung disease." It's something to think about.

reply

Submitted by chacoptaco (not verified) on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 5:11pm.

you are correct when you stated that cancer does not need smoking to grow. i had an aunt who died the same way without smoking and not being around smoke. but the gentleman i was referring to smoked all his life and his wife is a heavy smoker too.

I agree

Submitted by Guest6979 (not verified) on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 12:12pm.

I agree that all public resturants and bars should be smoke free. However do to this states liquer laws those establishments that are classified as private clubs should not have to follow those restrictions. I don't smoke and I don't care who does, but when I take my family out to dinner and I am at a table 20 ft from someone smoking I get angry. If you are addicted fine or if you just want one to relax fine. I don't want my children exposed to it. You can affect your health all you want, but you don't have the right to harm my childs.

smoking ban

Submitted by Guest2334 (not verified) on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 12:09pm.

I am diligently trying to quit smoking. It has been three and a half weeks since I have smoked a cigarette. I am against a mandatory smoking ban. Many restaurant and bar owners have made the decision to go smoke free with out the influence of laws or incentives. If people do not want to eat in a smoking restaurant, they should go somewhere else. NC needs to let their citizens and business owners make their own decisions...it is working without the help of nanny government. These thoughts are coming from someone who is going through the agonizing process of quitting smoking.

ONCE AGAIN- Your all hypocrites

Submitted by Same Old Song and Dance (not verified) on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 2:27pm.

The Smoke from your cars are just as bad- and the comment you make- If a smoker wants to kill himnself- its his choice but 2nd hand smoke affects me... I am not a smoker but it goes back to Why should government be involved in telling someone how to run there business- If you dont like smoke- there are plenty of smokefree places- go to those- If its really just about smoke- again=- please advocate NO DRIVING....(yea it sounds stupid) but its the same - driving emissions are hazardous to your health... But most of you can't live without your CARS so you dont say diddly....HYPOCRITICAL is what that is called....

SMOKING

Submitted by MARILYN HASTY (not verified) on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 4:11pm.

wHY WON'T THEY MAKE SMOKING ILLEGAL JUST LIKE DRUGS? THEY ARE JUST AS DANGEROUS!!! I HAVE BEEN A SMOKER FOR YEARS,BUT THE MINUTE THEY MAKE IT AGANIST THE LAW I WILL QUIT IMMEDIATLY!! ALL STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT MAKE MONEY OFF OF SOMEONE WHO IS HOOKED ON DRUGS. TOBACCO IS A DRUG. WE DANCE AROUND THE ISSUE ALL THE TIME ON THIS SUBJECT. LET'S JUST PUT THEM IN THE SAME CATOCORY AS STREET DRUGS AND SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT TO GO TO JAIL QUIT,AND MR. BIG TOBACCO CO.GO BROKE AND MANY STATES!!!!

Come on people

Submitted by Jojo (not verified) on Thu, 02/12/2009 - 8:00pm.

I am sorry I am looking at all these people that are complaining about smokers.I for one think that it is a personal choice your own free right to smoke.You say smoke kills and causes cancer and second hand smoke is killing me.What about the air polution that you polute with your hairspray and your perfume and your cars?Oh no that does not cause cancer or any other illness oh no only smoking does that.People wake up and relize that we are supposed to be a free country and all of a sudden Im being told that since you dont like me smoking in a bar or a resturant I get my freedom taken away from me.That is wrong and I dont agree with it at all they have smoking sections get over it and stay in your damn section and you wont have to see me doing something that is my right to be free to smoke when I want to.You may get your wish and smokers may be restricted but when they start telling you your not allowed to drive but till a certain place because its causing cancer I dont want to hear your mouth.

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