Steak, with death on the side

By: - August 15, 2005 5:40 am

Wilmington StarNews Online

Cancer, heart attacks, emphysema and other such dishes will remain on the menus of many North Carolina restaurants. The General Assembly once again has refused to ban smoking in them.

True, the latest proposal was little better than worthless. It would have limited smoking areas to 25 percent of restaurants.

Of course, smoke drifts, slipping into the lungs and bloodstreams of everybody in the building, diners and employees alike.

Rather than follow the nearly-unanimous advice of medical experts, the Honorables decided to “study” the question between legislative sessions. While they study, restaurant patrons and employees will continue to breathe poison.

The company that owns Pizza Hut and KFC decided this week to ban smoking in its restaurants. Asked whether that might hurt sales, a spokesman said, “We’re focused on doing the right thing.”

Can’t say that about the N.C. General Assembly.

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Chris Fitzsimon

Chris Fitzsimon, Founder and Executive Director of N.C. Policy Watch, writes the Fitzsimon File, delivers a radio commentary broadcast on WRAL-FM and hosts "News and Views," a weekly radio news magazine that airs on multiple stations across North Carolina. [email protected] 919-861-2066

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