N.C. Senate bans smoking by members in chamber

[davidinalameda]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2005/01/26/national1846EST0784.DTL

The state Senate in North Carolina, the nation's largest tobacco-growing state, banned smoking by its members in the chamber Wednesday.

The state House of Representatives barred smoking on its floor of the Legislative Building two years ago.

The number of smokers in the Senate has dwindled, but in recent years some still stepped to the back of the chamber for a quick puff. Smokers are still allowed to light up in Senate halls and in members' offices.

[Nailzberg]

1. In Illinois, it's banned everywhere BUT the Senate.

When will we learn.

[tx_dem41]

2. They did it right. The members decided.

Of course they will likely turn around and pass laws stating that the owners of establishments cannot decide themselves, thus trampling all over property rights.

[wishlist]

3. I live in N.C. and am surprised it had not already been banned

I had thought smoking was already banned a long time ago in all public and government facilities here in N.C. I haven't seen indoor smoking anywhere except bars and separate smoking sections in restaurants for many years. Our local hospital system recently banned smoking completely on hospital grounds, not just indoors which was a longstanding ban already.

My pet peeve is having to breathe heavy smoke while going in and out government buildings or hospitals, due to employees going outside to smoke but standing right next to the doorway.

[tx_dem41]

4. So do you believe all public outdoors smoking should be banned..

...by the Government?