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RALEIGH — A proposal to ban smoking in most public places is headed to the state House floor where a kindred measure died two years ago.

The ban would cover virtually all public workplaces, including bars and restaurants.

“It’s close,” Rep. Hugh Holliman said of the count measuring support among the chamber’s 120 members. “We’ve got some people working on it.”

Holliman, the bill’s chief sponsor, said the floor vote would likely come early next week. In 2007, a similar bill failed on a 55-61 vote, which is an uncommonly close margin for all but the most controversial of legislation.

This year’s version of the bill cleared the House Judiciary I Committee Tuesday morning on a voice vote.

Members of that committee considered a pair of amendments that would have granted exceptions to certain businesses. Both were withdrawn, but one that would create loopholes for fraternal and veterans groups such as the VFW may be offered on the House floor.

“This amendment would certainly boost the membership of my VFW chapter,” joked Rep. Grier Martin, a Wake County Democrat. Questions about the amendment centered on how to define a fraternal organization.

The bill’s proponents say that it is a public health measure based on studies that show second-hand smoke exposure can be deadly even in small amounts.

Opponents say the measure tramples on property rights, forcing landlords to prohibit smoking rather than letting them make a business decision.

“I had bacon and eggs for breakfast this morning. There’s no risk-free exposure to bacon and eggs,” said Rep. Paul Stam, a Wake County Republican. “It’s just not as great as smoking.”

Support for the measure does not split along party lines. There are Democrats, including Greensboro’s Rep. Earl Jones, who have said they don’t like the bill and there are Republicans who have signed on as co-sponsors.

Holliman said that he doesn’t buy the arguments against the measure, saying that no one forces you to eat a fatty breakfast.
“It just says don’t smoke in public places and don’t force it on the people around you,” Holliman said.

Contact Mark Binker at (919) 832-5549 or mark.binker@news-record.com