A pending ban on smoking in bars and restaurants has met mixed local reaction, with smokers feeling discrimination while non-smokers say they are being protected from secondhand smoke. Beginning Jan. 2, 2010, smoking will be prohibited in bars and restaurants that are open to the public. Though nearly 80 percent of Watauga County restaurants had already voluntarily enforced such a restriction, now business owners face penalties if they let custo ... Jump to full article >>

Replies # I smoke, and I don’t find them offensive; however, if they designate a smoking area outside the building, I find it offensive if they don’t cover it. While it’s become very PC to despise smokers, they are people, too. – David, Seattle # Anti-smoking laws deeply offend me. This is the government stepping in and discriminating against those who light up. – Tiberious, 24, Cincinnati # If a smoker is offended, ... Jump to full article >>