Image by Flickr user eisenrah
Update June 9: In less than a month, the Summerville smoking ban will take effect.
On July 12th, the ban goes into effect, and local business owners and residents are split in how they feel about it.
WCBD-TV 2 has more info as well as a video report; check 'em out here.
Update January 18: Despite the fact the public smoking ban has passed and it's now against the law to smoke inside places of business, Summerville police and prominent local figures are showing little to no support for the new law.
Summerville's Police Chief Bruce Owens told The Post and Courier he hasn't even reviewed the ban yet and couldn't immediately say how he plans to instruct his officers to enforce the new law. A town councilman who opposed the law sides with the police, stating they don't have enough time and manpower to begin producing publicity and education programs.
Attorney and business owner Rudd Smith told the council members point blank that he plans to violate the law.
The Post and Courier has an article on the backlash associated with Summerville's smoking ban; read it here.
Update January 13: Summerville passed its public smoking ban, which prohibits smoking indoors in most businesses yesterday when Mayor Berlin G. Myers broke a 3-3 tie.
Summerville has officially joined the ranks of twelve Lowcountry municipalities that now have smoking bans.
Hop over to The Post and Courier for more on yesterday's vote.
Update December 9, passes: The first reading of the bill has passed.
The Post and Courier has a solid report on the vote and debate while ABC News 4 has a nice video report that covers much of the same ground.
But the battle isn't over yet, this one needs a second reading at concil.
First reporting: After a proposed smoking ban failed earlier this year, Summerville's council will consider another smoking ban this week.
A first reading of the proposed ordinance is scheduled during the town council meeting at Summerville Town Hall (200 South Main Street) on Wednesday, December 8, at 7:30 p.m.
The Post and Courier has a short report with a bit of added perspective and a quote form one councilman for and one against; take a read here.
This time the reading is prompted by the groups Smoke Free Lowcountry Coalition and the South Carolina African American Tobacco Control Network. The bill would need at least one more reading to pass.
