North Myrtle Beach moves toward becoming smoke-free city

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH| -- North Myrtle Beach is one step closer to becoming a smoke-free city.

The City Council took its first vote Monday night on a proposed non-smoking ordinance.

The vote was 4-3, with Councilmen Bob Cavanaugh, Terry White and Greg Duckworth voting no.

Cavanaugh is not in favor of smoking, but said he has that right and that the city “should be careful about taking away personal rights” or personal freedoms through mandates.

He doesn’t agree there should be government mandates for businesses in the city when business owners should be able to decide whether they want to allow smoking at their establishments.

Restrictions in the ordinance as proposed apply to a wide variety of indoor and outdoor locations and certain vehicles.

White, who chose many years ago to stop smoking in his business, said his vote is not for smokers or against non-smokers.

“I just say that each business has a choice and it’s our choice whether we visit that establishment or not,” he said.

Duckworth, who says he doesn’t like the smell of cigarette smoke, said “enough individual rights have been taken away.”

While the council chamber was packed with supporters of the non-smoking ordinance, some residents agreed that businesses should not be forced to be smoke free, and even asked the council to reconsider its decision.

“I see this ordinance as discriminating against bars,” said resident Brian Scott. “Bars are a different place. Bars are a place where people go to smoke. Smoking is not the most dangerous thing people do in bars. I think most people know if they don’t like smoking, they go work somewhere else.”

The council is expected to take a second and final vote on the ordinance titled “Smoking in Public Places” on Feb.6. The ordinance is similar to ones adopted by Surfside Beach and Greenville. Atlantic Beach also passed a non-smoking ordinance.

North Myrtle Beach’s proposed ordinance includes a prohibition on smoking in public transportation vehicles, such as taxicabs and buses; in hotel and motel common areas, enclosed hallways, enclosed construction sites, and at ballparks, athletic fields and other sporting/athletic venues when in use for athletic competitions or public performances. Smoking will be allowed in parks only in designated areas.

Smoking outdoors should be conducted at a distance from any door, window or ventilation system to prevent smoke from entering a place.

The ordinance does not apply to retail tobacco stores, which includes existing cigar bars; campground spaces, hotel and motel rooms, or structures owned or rented as time shares.

The council decided Monday night to ban e-cigarettes in restaurants and bars only.

Mayor Marilyn Hatley said Monday that she voted to allow the non-smoking ordinance because of feedback she received from other South Carolina mayors who have similar ordinances that regulate smoking in their communities. They said the decision hasn’t hurt their community or businesses, she said.

“I was one of the first ones to say I believe in the right of businesses and they should make that decision,” said Hatley, who received a standing ovation from supporters of the ordinance when she said she was voting in favor of it. “We’ve worked very hard to satisfy majority of the people. [Other mayors] said you cannot please everyone, but they felt it was the right decision to make for people in their community.”