Texting while driving, smoking in public and cooking with artery-clogging trans fats will be that much harder under a bevy of state laws set to take effect around the country tomorrow. Faced with huge budget shortfalls and little extra money to throw around, state lawmakers exercised their (inexpensive) power to clamp down on impolite, unhealthy and sometimes dangerous behaviors in 2009. Even toy guns were targeted. Among the most surprising new laws set to take effect in 2010 is a smoking ban for bars and restaurants in North Carolina, the country’s largest tobacco producer that has a history steeped in tradition around the golden leaf. What is that about? How can a state whose number one source of GDP and revenue actually BAN that very product? Sounds quite counterproductive and a breach of basic freedom. What do you think? GO!
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