Florence City Council votes down proposed smoking ban

Florence City Council members voted 4-3 against an ordinance that would have imposed a smoking ban in most public places.

Voting against it during Council’s regular meeting Monday afternoon were councilmen Ed Robinson, Billy D. Williams, Bill Bradham and Steve Powers. Voting in favor of it were Mayor Stephen J. Wukela, Councilwoman Octavia Williams-Blake and Councilman Buddy Brand.

At least 12 city residents signed up to speak about the ordinance before council members voted, though not all of them did. Of the 10 who addressed council, five were for the ordinance and five against.

The ordinance would have prohibited smoking in such places as restaurants, bars, educational and health care facilities, common areas of apartment buildings, as well as many other places.

The council members who supported the ordinance, along with Wukela, said smoking poses a public health issue. They, and many residents, say smoking bans have worked in other areas across the state and across the country, and many of them believe the ban could work just as well in the city.

Williams Blake said before the vote that the ordinance is not about people’s right to smoke

“This ordinance is designed to protect employees and the public from the hazards of inhaling secondhand smoke,” she emphasized. “The city of Florence has already shown its commitment to a smoke-free work environment for our employees. Since we are protected, we should not feel at rest until every employee in this city has the same protection as each council member.”

Williams-Blake reiterated that the ordinance had been adopted by 28 other cities and counties in the state and has been upheld twice by the S. C. Supreme Court.

“I’m very pleased to see the turnout of supporters and non-supporters we had today,” Williams-Blake said following the vote. “This shows that people are passionate about the issue.

“I’m disappointed that it didn’t pass. I think the new alliance among councilmen Powers, Robinson and Williams is ‘interesting.’ But I don’t think this is the end. I think we can regroup under the spirit of compromise. Nobody here disagreed today that smoking is harmful”

Wukela said he believes it is the right choice for Florence.

Among others, the proposed ordinance would have prohibited smoking in such enclosed public areas as galleries, libraries, museums, bingo facilities, elevators, convention facilities, conference centers, exhibition halls, educational facilities (public and private), health care facilities, hotel and motel lobbies, licensed childcare and adult daycare facilities, and polling places.

Smoking also would be banned in apartment lobbies and hallways, condominiums, trailer parks, retirement facilities, nursing homes and other multiple-unit residential facilities, private clubs when being used for a function to which the general public is invited, restrooms, lobbies, reception areas, hallways, and other common-use areas.

In addition, smoking would have been prohibited in public transportation facilities, including buses and taxicabs and ticket, boarding and waiting areas of public transit depots, retail stores, service lines, shopping malls sports arenas and rooms, chambers, and places of meeting or public assembly, including school buildings.

The ordinance included certain outdoor areas “when the use involves a gathering of the public, regardless of the number actually assembled for the event, performance or competition,” as well. This includes amphitheaters, ball parks and stadiums when in use for athletic competitions or public performances, parades and special events on public streets and city property (although the city manager has the discretion, but not the obligation, to establish designated smoking areas in or in proximity to the parade or event area), dining areas in encroachment areas on public sidewalks, plazas and parks and dining areas on decks, balconies and patios of restaurants and bars, public places and public sidewalks abutting acute care hospital property lines, and zoos.