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| Columbia Implements Citywide Smoking Ban |
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Sep 30, 2008 |
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WSPA, News Channel 7: By Jewell Washington
Columbia Mayor Bob Coble held a press conference Tuesday to remind citizens and business owners that the clock is ticking for those who want to smoke inside city buildings.
A citywide smoking ban goes into effect on Wednesday. The first thirty days will include a program that educates people about the ban followed by another 30-day warning period. Mayor Coble says everyone will get one warning. After that, anyone breaking the ban faces a $25 fine. Coble feels that people are looking forward to a smoke-free environment.
?I think it?s good for the health,particularly those who work in a restaurant or bar that has smoking. The surgeon general has said there?s no level of safe second-hand smoke, so it?s a great day for the health of our citizens.?, said Coble.
Columbia?s Business License Division is in charge of handling complaints with people and businesses who break the ban. Only four people currently work for the division and none work at night. Some are worried that the division won?t be able to handle lots of complaints. Mayor Coble agrees with the ban?s popularity, but said new schedules and more employees will be added if necessary.
?We certainly are gonna do whatever it takes to enforce the ordinance?, said Coble.
Tyson Bannister recently opened a new club last month in Columbia. He feels customers will continue to follow his no smoking rules, especially with the new ban.
?The smoking?I haven?t had any problems with it?if people start smoking we just ask them can you please put that out...there?s no smoking in this building and they comply with it,? said Bannister, ?They actually walk outside and have a smoke...when they finish they can come back in?.
Mayor Coble called the ban an important step for cleaner air in South Carolina. He?s hoping for a statewide ban in the future.
Reach Washington at 803.254.2274 |
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