Texting while driving, smoking target of '10 laws [View All]

http://www.rr.com/news/topic/article/rr/9001/9903425/Texting_while_driving_smoking_target_of_10_laws/1

MADISON, Wis.— 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 on Friday.

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.

Starting Saturday _ stragglers get a one-day reprieve to puff away after their New Year's Day meals _ smokers will no longer be allowed to light up in North Carolina bars and restaurants. There are exceptions for country clubs, Elks lodges and the like, but the change is a dramatic one for North Carolina, whose tax coffers long depended on Big Tobacco.

Virginia approved a similar law that took effect Dec. 1, but it's more accommodating to smokers because it allows establishments to offer areas in which to light up as long as they have separate ventilating systems.

-A new Arkansas law prohibits retailers from selling toy guns that look like they real thing. But it may not have that big of an effect.

-California will be the first state to partially ban the use of artificial trans fats in restaurants in 2010, following several major cities and fast-food chains that have erased the notorious artery-clogger from menus.

-Fans of dog races will have to find another form of entertainment in Massachusetts, as the 75-year-old tradition has been outlawed starting Friday.

_ Teenagers going to a tanning bed in Texas will have to be accompanied by an adult.

_ Oregon employers are prohibited from restricting employees from wearing religious clothing on the job, taking time off for holy days or participating in a religious observance or practice.

_ The sale of "novelty" lighters _ devices designed to look like cartoon characters, toys or guns or that play musical notes or have flashing lights _ are banned in Nevada and Louisiana.