Raleigh NC| North Carolina Passes Smoking Ban
North Carolina Bans Smoking in Public Places
Earlier this week, after narrowly passing through the North Carolina House, Gov. Bev Perdue signed the North Carolina smoking ban into law, making us the 31st state to ban smoking in the workplace, bars and restaurants. The law will take effect January 2 of next year.
The ban on smoking highlights the declining influence of the tobacco industry in the United States and in North Carolina, where tobacco is still a large yet declining part of the economy. While the smoking ban is currently “big news”, it remains to be seen how well the state will remind everyone of the ban when it becomes law approximately seven months from today.
Starting several months before the law takes effect, the state should begin reminding everyone about the upcoming law through multiple channels. The media will also play a large role in reminding the general public of the change as January 2 approaches.
The smoking ban is a step in the right direction for North Carolina and the health of its general population. We will revisit this topic in December or January and discuss how the state made everyone aware of the new law.
What do you think about the smoking ban? Is it a positive step for the state or is it restricting personal freedoms? Let us know in the comments.
Related Links
- NY Times: North Carolina Approves Ban on Smoking
- New Raleigh: Smoking Ban Signed into Law
- Wikipedia: List of Smoking Bans in the US
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=0921c773-0ea9-4289-ba14-c39e5db70284)
Bob Said,
May 21, 2009 @ 10:26 am
After nearly a year and a half experience here in Illinois, the ban is fading into forgotten history in many small neighborhood bars where “everybody knows your name” No one is complaining. The only complaints are from neighbors of the bars that comply during the summer. The bar owner has no control over what people do on the public street. Some downstate rural counties make an issue of it, but areas where real crime is an issue don’t take it seriously. The local Chicago police still discourage people from congregating on the street in front of the bars, just like they did before the ban. Many of them are patrons in bars ignoring the ban when they are off duty.
Bobby Said,
May 21, 2009 @ 10:37 am
Thank for the comment, I think that will end up being the case here in North Carolina as well. It’s certainly a symbolic law here in the heart of tobacco land, but I don’t see how the law would be enforced.
L Robertson Said,
July 5, 2009 @ 6:16 pm
It is good news that this law will take effect January 2 of 2010. But it doesn’t go far enough. All public buildings should ban smoking within 20 feet of any entrance. All public parks should ban smoking.
I have lost several dear family members due to lung cancer caused by tobacco industry products and misleading advertising. You can understand that I would prefer that the tobacco industry shut down completely, forever.
Bobby Said,
July 6, 2009 @ 7:21 am
L Robertson,
I can definitely understand that approach. Second hand smoke is harmful and I think that over time the ban may be extended to include areas right outside public buildings and other loopholes in the law. I imagine that passing such a comprehensive ban with the first law might have been difficult. Thanks for the comment!
Bobby
LYNDA Said,
August 18, 2009 @ 2:20 pm
I THINK THAT IT IS DEFINITELY RESTRICTING PERSONAL FREEDOMS. I THINK IT SHOULD BE UP TO THE ESTABLISHMENT AND IF THOSE THAT DON’T SMOKE DON’T WANT TO VISIT THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER RESTAURANTS AND BARS.
Trisha Said,
September 22, 2009 @ 7:09 am
I am thrilled. My reaction to cigarettes is very strong–bronchial hyperactivity, and I avoid certain places because of it. It will be wonderful to be able to go out to a bar, or to play pool. My parents both died of smoking related illness, so as well. I will be jumping up and down on January 2nd.
Michelle Rodriguez Said,
October 1, 2009 @ 2:28 pm
I’ve been reading your posts and I feel very concerned. I’ve been a smoker for over 30 years and even though I’ve recently switched to new, healthy cigarettes, I’m still worried about the damage I’ve done my lungs so far. Follow me at http://healthysmoker.blogspot.com
mike bowles Said,
November 17, 2009 @ 1:05 pm
if you do not smoke you do not have to patronize any private club/bar I don”t smoke but I like the bar atmosphere…..
Tom Johnson Said,
November 24, 2009 @ 10:49 am
I like to smoke cigars because they offend cigarette smokers
yes the ban is a great idea, too bad it took forever…
now if we can just legalize that other smoke…
Richard Said,
December 9, 2009 @ 11:21 am
Smoking should be prohibited in all public places, period. We don’t cheerfully turn the other way and allow people to carry around leaky canisters of cyanide down the street, trailing minute quantities of the poison everywhere for other people and animals to come in contact with. Tobacco smoking is a public health disaster, with no redeeming value whatsoever. The sooner we stigmatize, tax and legislate it into oblivion the better.
Bobby McDonald Said,
December 9, 2009 @ 11:32 am
@Richard
I personally agree with your sentiment and understand that second-hand smoke can kill. That being said, I understand the position of smokers, who have been smoking for years, or a bar owner who is wondering why they can’t make the decision for their bar. They see it as an encroachment on their rights. It’s a fine line and it’s no surprise that everyone doesn’t see eye to eye on this issue.
Larry Plowman Said,
December 17, 2009 @ 4:24 pm
I believe that if a bar wants to go smoke free then it should be able to do just that. But, the government making it a law is just another form of discrimination. They could make the establisment designate a certain area for smoking and make them install adequate exhaust systems. Small business’s are having a hard time as it is and passing a law that can and will cause some of these places to close their doors is unreasonable. Big brother is still with us
Melissa Said,
December 18, 2009 @ 10:25 am
I am so excited about the smoking law passing I have a strong bronchial reaction too to the harmful chemicals of cigerrette smoke and was too stupid when I was young to understand how harmful it is, I am so excited to be free to go out and be able to enjoy the state and be able to breath!
Fight2Choose Said,
January 9, 2010 @ 1:03 am
I am all for respecting and protecting the rights of the non-smoking community, but I believe it should be up to the owner of the establishment to make these decisions.
Please read my petition @
http://www.gopetition.com/online/33301.html
If you agree with the petition, please sign it and help me share the link with other supporters.
Thank you!
landofthefree Said,
February 18, 2010 @ 7:57 am
If USA is the land of the free, then it is the freedom of choice. Unless we are not competent enough to make our own judgement, then government should step in tell you what to do. lol
I don’t want government to interfere with my freedom. I choose my own car, my own house, the workplace, the movie theater, the bar, the restaurant, etc. Don’t take the freedom of choice away from people. Go live in the communist countries if you want regulations and restriction.
The government should protect its citizens from crime and business from illegal operation. It has no right to tell people and businesses how/what to do. People have the choice of entering (not entering) the establishment or workplace.
D. Shore Said,
March 14, 2010 @ 5:04 pm
When freedoms are abused, you loose. Such is the case, I think, with smoking, the freedom has been abused; such as non-smokers having to endure the smell, the nastiness, and 2nd hand smoke associated with smoking.
I think the gesture is nice, but tell me please, how is this law going go be inforced?
By big mouths like me who asks the offenders to do something with their smoldering butt.
D. Shore Said,
March 14, 2010 @ 5:07 pm
Now if we could only stop the madness of this time changing. Can’t we compromise and set the clock 1/2 up and leave it there? I’ve forgotten why we even started this. No on asked me.
LOWERYSTACY23 Said,
August 3, 2010 @ 3:50 am
That is great that we can get the loans and that opens up new chances.