Goose Creek bans smoking

GOOSE CREEK — It will be illegal to light up in the city of Goose Creek as of July 1.

City Council Tuesday night gave final approval, 4-3, to an ordinance banning smoking in public places and places of employment.

Councilmen Franklin Moore, who proposed the law shortly after being elected to council last year, was supported by Jerry Tekac, Kimo Esarey and Mark Phillips. Mayor Mike Heitzler and John McCants and Marguerite Brown voted against it.

More than 20 people addressed the topic during a public hearing, with about half supporting the ban.

Many of those who opposed it cited a loss of personal rights.

The law prohibits smoking in city-owned facilities and vehicles, except golf carts, and all enclosed public places, including bars, restaurants, stores, ball parks, stadiums and more. It also bans smoking in places of employment.

It allows smoking on porches and decks more than 10 feet from a building’s entrance.

Several questioned why council exempted the city-owned Crowfield Golf and Country Club while restricting smoking in private businesses, but Tekac said the ordinance does not allow smoking in buildings at the golf course.

Violators could be fined $10 to $25.

Goose Creek joins municipalities such as Sullivan’s Island, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, Charleston and Charleston County in prohibiting smoking in public places.

Reach Brenda Rindge at 937-5713 or www.facebook.com/brindge.