Smoking ban takes effect Tuesday in Aiken City restaurants

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Smoking ban takes effect Tuesday in Aiken City restaurants

By NBCAugusta Staff

Story Published: Jul 15, 2008 at 11:45 AM EDT

Story Updated: Jul 15, 2008 at 11:45 AM EDT

The Aiken City Council voted to ban smoking inside the city's restaurants and other public places. It takes effect Tuesday.

However, customers will be able to smoke in designated smoking areas outside restaurants.

Many restaurants in the city of Aiken have a smoke free environment inside.

For the first six months there will not be a fine for smoking, but after that the fines range from $10-25.

Tuesday, Jul 15 at 2:06 PM Sheri wrote ...

After the Ohio smoking ban passed, many negative things occurred. 350 businesses went out of business; 14 counties have been unable to enforce the law because of its expense; the fines cost three times more to enforce than the amount of the fine; Ohio has completely cut funding for the anti-smoking groups, calling them a "rogue" organization; private veterans clubs are closing and taking the charity money they used to give back to the community with them. A new law will address exemptions.

Tuesday, Jul 15 at 12:48 PM Bob wrote ...

If many restaurants are already smoke free by choice of the owner, why create a problem when none exists?

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