Lee County considers snuffing out smoking in public buildings

Sanford, N.C. — Lee County could become the latest North Carolina government to ban smoking in public buildings. In a meeting Monday night, the Board of Commissioners considered pushing smokers outside, but decided to take the issue up again in September.

The proposal started in the office of District Attorney Susan Doyle. "Two pregnant employees in the DA's office ... have concerns about secondhand smoke, " County Manager John Crumpton said.

The employees work in an office next to a break room, where smoking is allowed. Doyle submitted a letter on their behalf to Crumpton, urging the county to consider a ban.

Although 45 of North Carolina's 100 counties – including Wake, Durham and Cumberland –have passed smoking bans in county buildings, it comes as no surprise that the Lee County proposal has ignited some resistance. The leaf remains a key part of the economy and landscape.

Outside the courthouse, George Muchison made the argument for the opposition.

"People in there are going to court. They want to ... have a cigarette. Their nerves be shot," he reasoned.

Crumpton agreed, "There are some attorneys who smoke in the building and who have some concerns about having a place where they can smoke in the building and where their clients can smoke."

Still, he knows that times are changing. "I think employees now have an expectation that they work in a smoke-free environment," he added.

If the proposal passes next month, smokers will be banished from the building. Those caught lighting up inside will face a fine up to $100.

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Travised: Lots of building contain asbestos and lead, but they must be encapsulated to prevent human exposure. They cannot have loose asbestos fibers or lead dust floating through the air like a cloud of tobacco smoke. If a building had such a problem, they would be shutdown and pummeled with lawsuits...probably from smokers too.

And, what does your "medicinal uses" comment has to do with public smoking? And, Asbestos is an effective fire retardant...so what?

hondaman: Can you show us where perfume is considered a cancer causing agent, like second hand tobacco smoke? Do you think this is just about smell? Do you have any idea how poisonous and just plain deadly tobacco smoke is?

hereandnow99
August 19, 2008 2:14 p.m.

The next ban should be on perfume. Many people have respiratory problems. Cigarette smoke and perfume are pretty much in the same category! They both on a sliding scale. Just where do you stop?

superman
August 19, 2008 11:09 a.m.

California and NY have both banned smoking in public builds and restaraunts. Many businesses have shown consistently higher profits immediately after the ban. Higher profits means more sales tax. Smokers need to quit whining and smoke outside, it'll keep property taxes lower.

chickenlittle
August 19, 2008 9:47 a.m.

How many government buildings, either run or owned, have asbestos and lead still in them today? I know a residential apartment unit has a WAIVER due to cost for removal. The flooring has asbestos. Their paint has lead. This isn't a hazard?

Smoking in the "isolated" room shouldn't be a problem in the courthouse.

Here and now, tobacco also has medicinal uses (NOT SMOKED) when used correctly. see Kents Reprtory for information, or different versions of Materia Medica.

Travised
August 19, 2008 9:30 a.m.

Oh and shep...smokers ARE the minority. Admittedly old data, but it has most likely gone down not up since then. See Link.

http://www.schs.state.nc.us/SCHS/pdf/SCHS119.pdf