2009-05-14 North Carolina bans smoking in bars, restaurants

2009-05-14  Triangle Business Journal \smoking\US/NC\Bev Perdue http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2009/05/11/daily47.html North Carolina bans smoking in bars, restaurants North Carolina bans smoking in bars, restaurants  Gov. Beverly Purdue says she will sign into law a bill passed by the North Carolina House of Representatives on Wednesday that bans smoking in bars and restaurants in a state where tobacco once was king.

The House approved by a 62-56 vote a version of the smoking ban that had been passed by the state Senate. The measure will make it illegal for restaurant and bar owners to allow smoking in their establishments. Patrons wanting to light up will have to do so outside.

Cigar bars and private clubs are exempt from the new law.

&ldquo;Gov. Beverly Purdue says she will sign into law a bill passed by the North Carolina House of Representatives on Wednesday that bans smoking in bars and restaurants in a state where tobacco once was king.&rdquo;   