S.C. Smoking Ban Expands

Bars and restaurants in the city of Greenville and Beaufort County are a step closer to becoming smoke free.

Council members in both governments gave initial approval Monday to proposed smoking bans in public places.

Greenville City Council voted unanimously in the first of two votes needed to enact the ban, while Beaufort County Council voted 9-1 in the first of three necessary votes. The votes come less than a week after Columbia City Council gave initial approval of a workplace smoking ban.

Greenville’s proposed ordinance would prohibit smoking in restaurants, bars and private clubs and extend 10 feet from entrances. Smokers could be fined $50 for lighting up, while businesses that allow them to do so could be fined $100 for the first offense and $200 for each one after. The ordinance would also allow the city manager to restrict smoking at outdoor events, such as parades.

Beaufort County officials discussed gathering more public input before a second vote.

Earlier this year, Sullivans Island became the first government in South Carolina to ban smoking in public buildings.