RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina state employees could soon be barred from lighting up in vehicles owned or leased by the state.

The Senate met recently and voted 43-5 to give final legislative approval to a bill that would prohibit smoking in all state-owned or leased cars in the motor fleet starting Jan. 1. The measure now goes to Gov. Mike Easley’s desk for his signature, according to www.charlotte.com.

Supporters said the ban will protect passengers’ health and save money by reducing the need for cars to be cleaned. The bill requires nearly all the cars to have no-smoking signs inside.

Opponents said the proposal is meddlesome, and worry it could set the stage for a more comprehensive public smoking ban in the future.

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