North Carolina smoking ban takes effect

RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 3 (UPI) -- North Carolina, which leads the nation in tobacco growing, banned smoking in bars and restaurants Saturday.

The state law has some loopholes, exempting country clubs and cigar bars, The Wall Street Journal reports. But it is a major shift for a state where 255,000 people work in the tobacco industry, according to state officials.

"We are keenly aware of the history in our state, but now it's just that -- history," said Betsy Vetter, chair of the North Carolina Alliance for Health.

Gov. Bev Perdue signed the legislation in May. Two previous attempts at smoking bans had failed.

Terry Harvey, owner of Jimmy's Barbecue in Lexington, said he had been thinking for a long time about a smoking ban but feared losing customers.

"At least now this way, my customers won't get mad at me about it," he said.