NC Senate to look at state vehicle smoking ban

RALEIGH -- A proposed ban on smoking in state cars may be one vote away from Gov. Mike Easley. The Senate is poised to vote Wednesday on a plan which would ban smoking in all state owned or leased vehicles. Supporters say the ban will protect passengers' health and save money by reducing the need for cars to be cleaned. But opponents say the proposal is meddlesome. They question if the smoking ban could help set the stage for a more comprehensive public smoking ban in the future. The House approved the plan 101-18 on Monday. The Senate, which approved a similar proposal earlier, must pass the plan before it can be sent to Easley's desk for consideration. (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)