2008 Woodie Awards
Smoking ban airs out city
Lighting up in Clemson's public places is now illegal.
By: Sandy Hayden
Issue date: 8/29/08 Section: News
As of July 1, 2008, smokers in the city of Clemson have had to pay close attention to where they light up - or else risk legal repercussions.
The much-discussed smoking ban officially went into effect earlier this summer, prohibiting smoking in public enclosed areas such as bars and restaurants.
Following in the footsteps of the neighboring city of Greenville, Clemson's City Council adopted the smoking ban ordinance on Jan. 14, allowing Clemson citizens more than five months before the law went into effect.
With Mayor Abernathy as the deciding vote, Clemson's City Council passed the ordinance by a 4-3 vote on the first reading.
In addition to outlawing cigarette, cigarillo and cigar use, the ban also forbids the use of tobacco, dip or snuff inside any public building or business within city limits.
Private clubs and offices, designated smoking rooms and religious ceremonies where smoking is part of a ritual, are not included in the ban.
Abernathy has said that the new law is a measure to improve the community and save lives.
According to the ordinance the Council intends to "prohibit smoking whenever the private choice of smoking intrudes... upon the choice of others to be free from the hazards and inconvenience of second hand smoke."
The new law intends to encourage public health by diminishing citizens' exposure to secondhand smoke.
"I feel like the ban is a positive change," junior marketing major Katie Owens said.
"The city has the right and responsibility to make decisions that keep its citizens safe from harm. In this case they are protecting the public from secondhand smoke, which, considering the health hazards, is a good thing."
Critics of the ban question the authority of the Council to make decisions that regulate personal choice.
"I think it is an individual's choice to go to a restaurant or bar where there will be smoking," Assistant Professor of English Jonathan Field said. "The market does not dictate smoke-free bars, but because of the occupational health issue, generally, I'm for [banning smoking in public]."
The much-discussed smoking ban officially went into effect earlier this summer, prohibiting smoking in public enclosed areas such as bars and restaurants.
Following in the footsteps of the neighboring city of Greenville, Clemson's City Council adopted the smoking ban ordinance on Jan. 14, allowing Clemson citizens more than five months before the law went into effect.
With Mayor Abernathy as the deciding vote, Clemson's City Council passed the ordinance by a 4-3 vote on the first reading.
In addition to outlawing cigarette, cigarillo and cigar use, the ban also forbids the use of tobacco, dip or snuff inside any public building or business within city limits.
Private clubs and offices, designated smoking rooms and religious ceremonies where smoking is part of a ritual, are not included in the ban.
Abernathy has said that the new law is a measure to improve the community and save lives.
According to the ordinance the Council intends to "prohibit smoking whenever the private choice of smoking intrudes... upon the choice of others to be free from the hazards and inconvenience of second hand smoke."
The new law intends to encourage public health by diminishing citizens' exposure to secondhand smoke.
"I feel like the ban is a positive change," junior marketing major Katie Owens said.
"The city has the right and responsibility to make decisions that keep its citizens safe from harm. In this case they are protecting the public from secondhand smoke, which, considering the health hazards, is a good thing."
Critics of the ban question the authority of the Council to make decisions that regulate personal choice.
"I think it is an individual's choice to go to a restaurant or bar where there will be smoking," Assistant Professor of English Jonathan Field said. "The market does not dictate smoke-free bars, but because of the occupational health issue, generally, I'm for [banning smoking in public]."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Bob
posted 8/28/08 @ 11:46 PM EST
You've got to be kidding. How do people get second hand smoke from dip or snuff LOL? These ban zealots are getting crazier every time they speak. Here in Chicago, now that the novelty is wearing thin, the ban is becoming a fading memory in a lot of small bars. (Continued…)
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