Florence residents, mayor weigh in on proposed smoking ban

FLORENCE — On Nov. 9, Florence City Council will vote on a proposed smoking ban in most public places.

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

Though it may face opposition from some smokers, the ordinance is gaining popularity from many local residents.

“I don’t like to determine what other people do, but we have been out west to California and Phoenix in the past year and it’s banned everywhere out there and there’s a difference, and it is nice not to have to worry about that in public if you don’t have to,” Florence resident Jennifer Peebles said.

Even some restaurant managers say they support the proposal, though they say they will continue to try and accommodate everyone.

“I think it’s a good thing because we definitely aim to please all of our customers and I think as long as someone can step outside and smoke a cigarette, then we’ll kind of keep everyone,” said Wendy Vesco, floor manager at Apple Annie’s, said.

Some smokers say the measure would restrict their freedom, while others say the ordinance would simply enforce the freedom of others who choose not to smoke.

“I just didn’t realize, but now I can see where everybody would be offended by it, because I get around them now and I don’t really care to sit there,” former smoker James Moore said.

Council members who support the ordinance, along with Florence Mayor Stephen J. Wukela, say 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.

Twenty-eight other cities in South Carolina have passed similar smoke-free ordinances.

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

“I think the evidence is overwhelming that smoking is dangerous to health. It causes cancer and other health abnormalities and it’s appropriate to ban it in public places where the public doesn’t have any choice,” he said. “I also have a particular concern for workers in restaurants and bars who are forced to be exposed to smoking against their will, as well.”

Among others, the proposed ordinance would prohibit smoking in such enclosed public areas as galleries, libraries, museums, bars, 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 lobbies, hallways, and other common areas in apartment buildings, 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, restaurants, restrooms, lobbies, reception areas, hallways and other common-use areas.

In addition, smoking would be 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, places of meeting or public assembly, including school buildings.

The ordinance includes 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.

City council meets at 1 p.m. Nov. 9 in room 604 of the Florence City-County Complex, 180 N. Irby St., Florence. For more information, including contact information for council members, call Dianne Rowan, clerk to council, at (843) 665-3177.