Smoking in Bars Permitted Under N.C. Indoor Smoking Legislation

The North Carolina House of Representatives has approved indoor-smoking legislation with a gaping loophole: the measure will allow bars to continue to allow smoking.

The Associated Press reported April 2 that House lawmakers voted 72-45 in favor of the bill, which would limit but not end exposure to secondhand smoke in indoor public places in the state. The measure now goes to the state Senate, where approval is expected.

The bill is a watered-down version of a comprehensive indoor-smoking bill that would have banned smoking in all North Carolina workplaces. The bill was rewritten to include only establishments that employ or serve individuals over age 18. The legislation calls for relatively mild penalties for violators.