The state of California enacted a statewide smoking ban effective January 1, 1995, banning the activity in all enclosed workplaces in California and within 20 feet of such places, including restaurants and bars (bars were excluded until January 1, 1998). That's right, more than a decade ago this issue has been around but apparently the people of NC didn't feel it was necessary to voice their opinion's in the number needed to influence this vote. If the people of this state cared about this issue as much as people are complaining about it, they should have organized a vocal movement to tell their elected officials how they felt. Paper/Electonic petitions only go so far. People of this state must realize that if they don't take an active interest in what our elected legislators are doing then we are doing our job as citizens of this great state. -DirtyData