Spartanburg snuffs out smokers

By Colin Riddle  

SEPTEMBER 11, 2011 8:47 a.m. (0)

The day was warm and sunny, perfect September weather to enjoy a cigarette outdoors.

But this time it wasn’t by choice. Those who normally would have been smoking in restaurants and bars, were taking a quick smoke on the way back to work, sitting in groups in the square, or slowly wandering the downtown area trying to stay within the constraints of the city’s new ban on smoking.

Beginning last Thursday, patrons can no longer smoke in public buildings.

“We’re not one of the first communities to do this,” said Chris Story, Spartanburg’s assistant city manager.

Besides Spartanburg, Florence and Atlantic City passed bans this year. That means 41 cities and counties in South Carolina have such laws.

From California to Minnesota and down to Florida, smoking bans have become more and more common on statewide and citywide levels. More than 6,000 cities across the country outlaw smoking in public buildings.

At issue are major concerns about secondhand smoke and general discomfort of non-smokers.

Margaret Tait, Elizabeth Mour, and Annie Cavallaro moved to Spartanburg about a month ago as volunteers for AmeriCorps. All non-smokers, they were having lunch in the square, smokers puffing away nearby.

“I’m surprised that it’s just now coming into effect,” said Tait, 22, a central Florida native where a statewide ban has been in effect since 2003.

“In general, it’s a major concern health wise,” said Mour of Los Angeles, Calif., which currently holds one of the nation’s more aggressive smoking bans.

Cavallaro, 23, a Maine native, said she was not used to seeing separate areas for smoking and non-smoking in restaurants. Maine has a statewide ban similar to California.

South Carolina has a different policy: let the cities decide.

Spartanburg allows restaurants to have outdoor smoking areas where food is not served and smokers must be at least 15 feet from a public building. Also, businesses with more than 50 percent of tobacco sales may allow indoor smoking.

Restaurants and bars lacking outdoor areas for smoking could be at a disadvantage to those with outdoor sitting areas. This has been a major concern of many restaurant and bar owners in the area.

Becky Hammond-Myers, owner of Nu-Way Lounge and Restaurant, believes more people will come because they are non-smoking.

She said, “It will even the playing field across downtown. Everywhere will be non-smoking.”

Hammond-Myers purchased Spartanburg’s oldest bar six and half years ago after working there for six years and graduating from University of South Carolina Upstate.

“A few diehards who have been coming 20 years have been a little disappointed but they’re ok,” she said. “We’ll make it work for everybody.”

Dave Bowyer, a local utility worker for 26 years and non-smoker, said he will often choose restaurants based on their non-smoking policies.

He said, “Bad ventilation is a problem. There’s no differentiation between smoking and non-smoking.”

Wendy Corn has been working downtown for 21 years. She said the ordinance “[Is] okay with me. I understand people not wanting people to smoke inside. Just don’t make it where we can’t smoke anywhere.”

Now, there’s extreme heat, heavy rain, or sudden cold fronts to deal with.

Also, some have raised the issue of civil liberties. These are private businesses and personal choices of non-smokers and smokers alike.

Mike Spears, a 25-year-old Presbyterian College graduate and Spartanburg local, said, “I’m all for it. I don’t mind going out and not smoking. It’s not much of a hassle.”

Few buildings downtown display the new “No Smoking” signs or brag about their fresh smelling venues. And several restaurant owners said they were just plain tired of talking about it.

The goal of the new ordinance is to create a true sense of hospitality, city officials said.

When city council members began discussing the possibility of a smoke-free ordinance, they spoke with city leaders across the southeast that have adopted such laws.

In addition, data was gathered from the 100 largest businesses in the hospitality industry, all of whom had already gone smoke-free.

“Health was a driving force, but wanting to be a welcoming and hospitable community for all people was our main focus,” said Story.

He said implementation has gone smoothly and there have been few questions.

Nevertheless, this could remain one of those age-old debates. A new ordinance is in place, but the opinions just don’t change.