NC to ban smoking in all LTC facilities

The N.C. Senateapproved a bill yesterday that will ban smoking in state-licensedbuildings that provide long-term-care services. The bill was promptedby a fatal fire at a Mocksville adult-care home that was caused by aresident smoking in her room.  The N.C. House ofRepresentatives approved a similar version of the bill two months ago.Yesterday, the bill’s chief sponsor in the House, Rep. Julia Howard,R-Davie, said she disagrees with two changes to the bill made on theSenate side. The House and Senate will now have to reconcile thosechanges before the bill can become law.  Assuming thathappens, the bill will be the latest in a series of measures approvedthis year that will further restrict smoking in North Carolina.Previously in this legislative session, the General Assembly has votedto ban smoking in all state-government buildings and to make allpublic-school property tobacco-free.

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