Yesterday the NC House tentatively passed a bill that would ban smoking in businesses that serves or employs anyone under the age of 18. While it’s not a 100% ban, it’s one step closer to a smoke-free NC. The final vote is scheduled for today, and if it passes, then it will move to the Senate.

The opposition to the bill doesn’t even sense to me. Someone said in the debate on the bill that “if you ban smoking, you should also ban fast food because that can cause obesity.” That argument fails completely on it’s relation to smoking. Sure fast food isn’t good for us, but if you eat fast food in public, I don’t get fatter because of that. If you smoke in public, then I am directly affected.

Similarly, a lady on the news last night was angry because, “It’s a personal choice. Everyone should be able to choose.” Does that apply to me? If I choose to not want to get lung cancer from your secondhand smoke, what choice do I have? Your choice to smoke ceases to be strictly personal when you do it outside of your own home, directly affecting my health.

If it were up to me (and I’m aware that my view is very extremist) I’d charge everyone who smokes in public with negligent homicide.

Go here -> http://www.capitolconnect.com/smokefreenc/ to contact the NC legislators and let them know we want a smoke free North Carolina.