Clearing the air: Confusion clouds countywide smoking ban

Two of three county commissioners did not realize a smoking ban they preliminarily approved was countywide and now may change their vote.

When they voted, Commissioners Tom Kite and Troy DeHart thought only unincorporated areas of the county would be included in the ban that will prohibit smoking in all public places and workplaces, including bars.

However, county attorney Kathleen Hash said the ban will be countywide, meaning bars in Greenwood and other communities will have to stop allowing smoking. Franklin already has a smoking ban in place that prohibits people from smoking in all public places, including bars, and will not change with the new county ban.

The proposed countywide ban will prohibit smoking in all businesses in the county that were previously exempt under the state law that went into effect earlier this year, including bars, hotels and private clubs, as well as on any county-owned or leased property, including the fairgrounds, Hash said.

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