North Carolina Smoking Ban Voted Down

North Carolina Smoking Ban Voted Down
May 4, 2007

News Summary

A proposed statewide smoking ban was voted down by the North Carolina House this week, failing by a 55-61 margin, the Raleigh/Durham News & Observer reported May 3.

The measure fell despite the support of House Majority Leader Rep. Hugh Holliman. During debate on the measure, lawmakers argued the health benefits of the indoor-smoking ban and the measure's impact on the property rights of business owners.

"When you talk about freedoms, I think somebody else's freedom ends when it enters my lungs," said Rep. Jeff Barnhart, whose nonsmoking father-in-law died of lung cancer after being exposed to tobacco smoke in the workplace. "I guess I'm voting in favor of my father-in-law, but I'm also voting for his grandchildren who he didn't get to know."

But Rep. Ric Killian -- like Barnhart, a Republican -- said, "I believe upholding private property rights is simply more important to the fabric of our society than the effects of secondhand smoke."

Holliman, a cancer survivor, went forward with the vote despite uncertainty about its support in the House. "I hoped some people would switch and vote for it," he said. "Obviously, some people switched and voted against it." Sixteen Democrats joined 45 Republicans in voting against the bill.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Rick Garrett on 12 Mar 08 05:35 PM EDT

I agree with Rep. Jeff Barnhart's statement "When you talk about freedoms, I think somebody else's freedom ends when it enters my lungs." It is no longer a debate, it is now a known fact that cigarettes harm both the smoker and those around the smoker. How can you legitimately defend your right to do something that jeopardizes the health of another. A smoking ban would not take away anyone's right to smoke, it would just uphold the right of those who choose not to smoke. Those of us who don't smoke have just as much of a right to enjoy a bar or a restaurant, etc as does a smoker. As far as Rep. Ric Killian's statement about "private property rights," if that private property is a business, then I believe that that business owner should not be free to do just anything he/she wants, especially when it jeopardizes the health and welfare of their paying customers and hard-working employees.

Posted by Jim Codd on 06 Aug 08 04:38 PM EDT

It is amazing that entire countries like Ireland, Italy and Germany have either banned smoking in public places...or on their way to banning smoking. I am from Florida, and a non smoker. I watched my mother die a slow debilitating death due to smoking. I am also considering employment in North Carolina, and may not accept this position due to the fact that restaurants and other public places may still allow smoking. This is not only absurd, but ridiculous in this day and age. Also, has anyone considered that smokers most likely contribute to liter? Are cigarette butts litter? Do some research... butts take up to 100's of years to fully disintegrate. Also, has anyone done studies about liter? I submit that most smokers "liter", and if there are 40 cigarettes in a pack, for every 40 "butts" litered is there also one package? Is "litering" a learned behavior of smokers? Do they go on to liter other stuff? If you are a smoker, and don't liter, I suggest you start a campaign to eliminate the litering of your companions. If it (litering by smokers) isn't an issue now, it will be! Don't pollute our air! Don't pollute my earth!

Posted by Dr Larry Nelson on 30 Oct 08 11:19 AM EDT

I takes us to stop voting idiots like Killian into office. Why don't we call him Rep, Killyaall What does he care cept a bunch of money in his pocket from BIG TOBACCO

Posted by Dr Larry Nelson on 30 Oct 08 11:25 AM EDT

I just had a patient tell me she has to quit her job at Time Warner Communications. She stopped smoking and she asked her boss to ban smoking in the workplace and he has refused.. IDIOTS!! Smoking was banned in California 16 yrs ago.. come on.. Do we have to put up with this. Send your medical bills for smoking related deaths to Rep Killyaall so he can pay for them

Posted by Shane on 26 Feb 09 07:38 PM EST

I'm not a smoker, but this is insanity. What you guys don't seem to understand is that private business owners should be the ones to determine what is allowed within the walls of their establishments as long as it legal (which smoking is). The mentality that a restaurant or bar allowing smoking makes you a victim is ridiculous -- no one is stopping you from not going there.

Posted by Frank Arnone on 02 Apr 09 01:33 PM EDT

We talk about protecting the rights of a minority and yet we try to legislate and tax the minority population of smokers. If health costs are the issue than a tax on obesity is more important since obesity and its related illness cost us more than smokers, and has much sounder research to back the effects of obesity , than the highly subjected research on second hand smoke.

Posted by Brooke on 05 May 09 07:13 PM EDT

This is ridiculous. I've worked in restaurants for 25 years and I'm tired of having to breath smoke and smell like smoke. I'm also sick of working with smokers who have to take so many breaks, while non-smokers don't get any.When I was younger, it didn't bother me as much, but now I have asthma so I'm pretty annoyed. Give me a break about owner's rights. Smoke outside already! What is the next step in getting a law passed here? It is hard enough to find work these days so give us a break!

Posted by Merle on 13 May 09 10:36 AM EDT

I am a former smoker; had I known the damage I was doing to myself and others I would have never smoked. I have not smoked for many years; and now I do not want to breath second hand smoke. A person should have a right to smoke, but not in a public place. They should be allow to smoke in their private homes and automobiles. Please pass the non-smoking bill joining other states that have.

Posted by Sam on 25 Sep 09 10:54 AM EDT

What this ban would do is take rights from busness owners.If the busness owner chooses to allow smoking and looses customers becouse of it.Then the consumer has a voice.RESPECT OUR FREEDOMS dont pass the non smoking bill.

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The State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation (STATE) System

Local Tobacco Control Ordinance Database