North Carolina fight soon to start.

[dohsma]

Today Wisconsin joined the "idiot state" group with the signing of a total tobacco ban beginning in July 2010. They only excluded cigar bars and specialty tobacco shops, but at least left vaping out of the bill. With one of the most corrupt/liberal govs in the country as well as a democrap majority, it was only a matter of time b4 he got his way.

Kenosha, hey right down the road from me, I live in bristol.

Isn't Doyle wonderful.

[eric]

Sorry to hear I never understood this total ban mentality. IMHO it should be up to whomever owns the building that the business is located in and then if smoking is allowed inside, require a warning sign on the door. State and county owned buildings, sure, ban it there. But privately owned businesses??? *shaking head*

You mean property owners should be allowed to determine what is and is not allowed within the confines of their property? Blasphemy! BAN! BAN! BAN!

[OutWest]

You mean property owners should be allowed to determine what is and is not allowed within the confines of their property? Blasphemy! BAN! BAN! BAN!

It is a crazy notion, eh?

Fortunately, in Oklahoma some businesses still have the liberty to make the decision themselves, but many do not. Of course, that will soon change

edit to add - I just found this http://www.connectamarillo.com/news/....aspx?id=97258

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A state Senate committee has voted for a bill that would ban smoking in all bars and restaurants.

The Legislature banned smoking in most public places in a 2003 law, but granted some exceptions. Restaurants, for instance, were allowed to build smoking rooms for their customers who smoke.

Under the bill passed Monday by the Senate Business and Labor Committee, restaurants that built separate smoking facility will have until 2013 to go completely smoke free.

However, smoking in bars, even cigar bars, would be banned when the law takes effect on Nov. 1.

. . .

Sen. Randy Brogan of Owasso says the bill went too far because tobacco is a legal substance. He offered an amendment to ban the sale and distribution of tobacco products, but it died for lack of a second.

[jim420]

Me and my oldest will be at the 600 next week - hopefully the weather will be nice and warm instead of damp and rainy...

Weather is planned to be good. Maybe we should hook up for a lunch or something. We know where to go that won't be overcrowded. Let me know so the wife and I can plan. Feel free to leave a PM.

[Closet Toker]

Wisconsin just passed the ban. Starts July 2010. Tribal casinos and existing cigar bars and specialty tobacco shops will not be subject to the ban.

[joebgoodus]

So u just can't buy Cigs at the gas station ? ?

[mamacat]

So u just can't buy Cigs at the gas station ? ?

Huh?? Do you mean analogs or e-cigs?

[sherid]

This was a sad day for NC. Transplants from the East and other far left states move in droves to the South for its charm and way of life. Then, they DEMAND that the state changes to suit them. If you move for the charm of a place, it should be you who adapts. My family is South Carolina calls this being "californicated" So, now NC might kiss RJR and its jobs goodbye. Add the jobs lost in the hospitality industry where smoking bans rule the lives of businessmen, and you have some unique opportunities for economic disaster in NC

[mamacat]

This was a sad day for NC. Transplants from the East and other far left states move in droves to the South for its charm and way of life. Then, they DEMAND that the state changes to suit them. If you move for the charm of a place, it should be you who adapts. My family is South Carolina calls this being "californicated" So, now NC might kiss RJR and its jobs goodbye. Add the jobs lost in the hospitality industry where smoking bans rule the lives of businessmen, and you have some unique opportunities for economic disaster in NC

Indeed the day was sad and will remain that way for some time.

[TropicalBob]

Have to agree. Much of the "charm" and individualism once characteristic of the South has been lost in a merging of cultures and lifestyles. There's nothing we can do to stop it, but it is sad to see a tobacco state like North Carolina cave in to anti sentiment, stripping even business owners of the right to control use of a legal product on their own property.

The most hated words in the South are "The way we did it up North ..."