Christian Action League
The House Judiciary Committee considered for a second time the merits of HB 2-Prohibit Smoking in Public and Workplaces on Tuesday. The Committee made a slight amendment to the measure which authorizes police officers to issue citations for violations. The previous version of the bill only authorized an official from the local health department to cite smokers who fail to extinguish their cigarettes. Infractions would include fines of up to $50.00.
The bill, which will ban smoking in bars, workplaces and other public venues was approved and now moves to the House floor for a vote.
“I believe that this is one of the most historic pieces of legislation to protect the public’s health to come before the legislature in decades. We mustn’t forget that people die from second-hand smoke – approximately 1600 every year in North Carolina. These people did not choose to smoke and they cannot necessarily leave their jobs to get away from second-hand smoke. This is the right thing to do. It’s a painful undertaking for a culture where tobacco has been King, but life and health should win out,” said Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League.
