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| Lexington enacts ban on smoking |
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Sep 3, 2008 |
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The STATE: By TIM FLACH, tflach@thestate.com
Lexington has joined the ranks of Midlands communities snuffing out smoking in restaurants, bars and most workplaces.
On Tuesday, a once-reluctant Town Council ? all seven of whom are nonsmokers ? unanimously approved a ban that takes effect Oct. 4.
Lexington becomes the first Lexington County community, and the 19th in the state, to adopt such a ban.
The town could be joined soon by nearby West Columbia as city leaders there agreed Tuesday to look at the idea.
Lexington town officials decided to be trendsetters after initially saying a ban should be adopted in conjunction with other communities.
?We want to set the pace,? Mayor Randy Halfacre said. ?It?s the right thing to do.?
Leaders in many of Lexington County?s other 13 municipalities are waiting to see whether a ban proposed by some County Council members gains momentum before proceeding with restrictions locally.
A joint approach avoids a confusing checkerboard pattern of sites where smoking is allowed and outlawed, officials said.
?Without a countywide approach, it wouldn?t be as effective,? Chapin Mayor Stan Shealy said.
But officials in some communities call smoking limits a personal decision instead of a matter Town Hall should police.
?That?s way too much government,? Batesburg-Leesville Mayor James Wiszowaty said.
Supporters call the ban a way to reduce health hazards from secondhand smoke for customers and workers in nearly all of the 1,000 shops, offices and other workplaces in Lexington.
Anti-smoking groups Tuesday applauded Lexington?s adoption of the ban, but one restaurateur told town leaders it will drive away diners.
?They will take their business elsewhere, and that is a concern to me,? Lexington Arms owner Duncan Crowe said.
Similar bans are taking effect during the next month in Columbia, Camden and Richland County.
In West Columbia, Mayor Bobby Horton said city leaders are soliciting reaction to adoption of a ban there and appear ?equally split? on going forward with the idea this fall.
Irmo leaders turned down the idea, but anti-smoking forces are seeking to reverse the decision.
Reach Flach at (803) 771-8483.
? 2008 TheState.com and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.thestate.com |
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