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Even little Harry Potter will have to refrain.

There's a nasty rumor going around the bars of Portsmouth these days. It's starts with "smoking ban" and ends with "July 1, 2007." Now, more than a few people have asked me about this, so many in fact that I decided to do a little investigating to see how much truth there is to the matter.

According to the word on the street, smoking will be prohibited in all bars, restaurants, VFWs, etc., on July 1 this year. At first I scoffed at this rumor, but since I've started looking into it, it looks like this is partly true.

Right now, the bill known as SB 42 still needs a vote from the state House of Representatives. It passed the Senate on Feb. 22 and recently received the thumbs-up from the Commerce Committee in the House. It is due to go before the full house on May 31 and soon after will go to a vote. If passed, smoking will be prohibited in all "restaurants, cocktail lounges, and certain enclosed public places" effective July 1, 2007.

Technically, the smoking ban is not a done deal, but if you remember the last time this issue came up, it passed fairly easily, but got caught up in the Senate. Seeing as there are even more members of the House that support this bill than there were in 2005 (those damn Dems!), it looks like the current smoking ban bill will get the votes it needs. So starting this July, it looks like you actually will have to get off your ass and walk outside if you want to smoke when out having a beer.

To view the bill go here, and to find your reps and tell them what you think of the smoking ban, go here, though I doubt at this stage in the game it will make any difference.

Now I could pontificate here about how a smoking ban totally goes against everything New Hampshire stands for, but to be honest, smoking is filthy, dirty and disgusting. Will any of us really miss leaving the Coat with our clothes and hair smelling like a revolting ashtray. Sure, smoking can be enjoyable and fun, but really, those who indulge could all stand to a little less of it and we all know it.

So please, in the name of freedom, head to the nearest bar, pull out a pack of American Spirits or Parliaments of Reds or whatever the kids are smoking these days and have at while you still can. LFOD, my friends. L.F.O.D.