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| Charleston Smoking Ban...1 Year Later |
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Jul 23, 2008 |
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By Jenny Fisher, News 2 - Charleston
One year ago, smokers snuffed out cigarettes in Charleston restaurants for the start of a city-wide smoking ban. Since then, many bars and restaurants have made changes to please non-smokers and smokers alike.
News 2 checked out the changes at one Charleston bar on the Savannah Highway by talking with the owner, Derek Harris. Harris said, "It's called dd peckers wing shack." With margaritas a shake away, plenty of wings (25 flavors according to Harris) and a growing menu that will include fried hamburgers, there's not much missing.
Except one thing. You won't find anyone smoking inside the restaurant. Customer Randy Sprowles said, "I can really tell the difference. In some bars you can really tell the difference."
There's no smoking inside due to a city-wide smoking ban that started one year ago. Harris said, "Not smoking really helped. Gets the families in here." Families, like the three generations of Deery's, who wouldn't welcome nicotene and carcinogens into month-old McKenzie's regimen. Peggy Deery said, "I'm really glad because she doesn't have a choice. She's just a baby so I want to see her kept healthy."
Yet, DD Peckers Wing Shack still caters to smokers. Harris said, "People like to light up and drink. It's busy so it's mostly smokers and they sit outside."
Once the ban became official, Harris added another deck outside for those inclined to inhale. News 2's Jenny Fisher asked Harris, "Right now inside it's nice and cool, but I also know from being outside, it's hot out there and if you're going to smoke, you have to go outside." Harris said, "They don't seem to mind. In the winter even, it could be 40-45 degrees and they're still out there."
Jessica Robinson doesn't smoke as much anymore, but she's willing to step outside. She said, "It's something we have to deal with."
In the past year, Charleston City Police ticketed three people for smoking in bars or restaurants. The maximum fine? $500 dollars and 30 days in jail. Restaurant owners say enforcement is usually not the issue, but rather the cleaning required for the extra ashes and cigarette butts left outside. |
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| PO Box 1017 Prosperity, South Carolina 29127 PH (803) 364-1011 FAX (803) 364-0116 |
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