According to the Boston Globe in a story out of
Concord, New Hampshire, Smoking ban backers say citizens' health is the real issue at hand. Supporters of banning smoking in restaurants and pubs told lawmakers Tuesday they have a duty to protect the public's health.
If the pending bill is approved, New Hampshire would be state number 12 to ban smoking in restaurants and bars, according to the American Cancer Society. The latest state to enact a ban is New Jersey under a law signed Sunday that takes effect April fifteenth.
New Hampshire now allows smoking in restaurants with less than fifty seats. But bigger restaurants have to install ventilation systems, dividing walls or come up with other ways of keeping smoking and non-smoking sections apart.
Kris MacNeil, a cigarette vending machine operator from Concord, testified that the bill wasn't needed.

"It is not against the law for a restaurant or cocktail lounge to outlaw smoking all on their own," she said.

She said that many restaurants have spent thousands upon thousands of dollars installing ventilation equipment that would no longer be needed.

Workers can choose employment at places that ban smoking, she said.