Wednesday, June 6, 2018

(News 12 at 5:30/News 12 at 6 O’Clock)

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After two failed attempts, a tougher ban on smoking in public places will go into effect in Augusta next year. But citizens have some questions on the details, and how it will be enforced.

After a 6-to-4 vote by commissioners Tuesday, instead of staying 10 feet away from smoke-free areas -- smokers are now only required to stay within a "reasonable distance" from the bars’ doors or windows.

But some people say that is too vague and subjective to enforce.

Linda Eubanks owns the Fishbowl Lounge off Lumpkin Road by fate.

“Who would've thought as a child that I'd be owning this establishment?”

Eubanks grew up just down the road from her bar. Her dad worked in part of the old building, which used to be a 7/11 store. Her bar is now one of the oldest in Augusta.

“It's an icon,” Eubanks tells News 12 with pride. “I mean, people go away and they come back just to see if it's still here.”

It's also one of several other bars in the area that allow smoking, if only for a few months longer.

“I know that it's bad for everybody - I understand that people know that this is a smoking environment. You have that choice whether or not you want to go inside,” Eubanks says, fired up about the new ordinance.

After the vote Tuesday, smokers will have to be standing in the parking lot of the Fishbowl Lounge to adhere to the new ordinance.

“We can't go and add places for people to smoke putting a patio. We have no room,” says a frustrated Eubanks, worried for her business.

Jennifer Anderson with BreathEasy Augusta says the distance shouldn’t be a big problem.

“I think you'll find if you just step outside a reasonable distance as the ordinance states - away from the door so the smoke doesn't go in - everybody will be fine,” Anderson explains.

Violators can still face penalties for breaking the ordinance. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Marshals Office and Augusta's Planning and Development Department are playing a part in enforcement.

“It's hard to know what's going to take place, you can only take it day by day.”

Commissioner Dennis Williams voted in favor of the new ordinance, and he says enforcement will work out fine.

“If you really look at a lot of your bars do have security or they have an off-duty deputy working specials - so there is a form of reinforcement,” Williams explains to News 12.

Enforcing the ban will be a joint effort between the Sheriff’s Office and the Marshals Office. Fines for breaking the ordinance start at $100 and could go up to $500. Each day a violation occurs is a separate and distinct violation.

Bar owners can be punished too with suspension or revoking their permit and license if they don’t work to enforce it as well. Anderson says the ordinance will also be "self-enforced".

“If you walked into a bar downtown, and they had gone smoke-free, and somebody came up to you and said ‘this is no smoking,’ you would very casually put out your cigarette and go on about your business. And when you want to have another cigarette, just step outside.”

In the coming months before the ban goes into effect, the city is sending business renewal licenses and tax forms. They say, starting January 1st, deputies and inspectors will be traveling around the city.

We did reach out to the Sheriff's Office on exactly how plan to enforce the ordinance, and what division is going to handle enforcement. We didn't hear back from them Wednesday.

Bars and businesses are obligated to tell someone smoking to stop, and if they don’t they have to ask them to leave.

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

News 12 NBC 26 at 11 O'clock

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- After other failed attempts, Augusta Commissioners vote 6-4 to pass a smoking ban that would go into effect next year. The ban would include most public places including bars, restaurants, shopping centers, and golf courses open to the public.

Dozens of people came into the Comissioner Chambers and delivered a message without having to say a word. BreathEasy Augusta supporters and advocates came in wearing stickers saying, "I want to BreathEasy." Bar and businesses owners and others against the ordinance came in with their own stickers that read, "Butt Out of my Business. My bar. My choice."

Bar and business owners made a strong case against the smoking ban. BreathEasy Augusta made their own case. In the end, Augusta Commissioners made a tough choice.

"It wasn't to do anything to hinder business, but from a health standpoint, I felt it was a major step forward for the city of Augusta to do what other cities have done and found it to be successful," explained Commissioner Andrew Jefferson.

"But you can't dictate to private business how they want to run their business," said Commissioner Marion Williams.

In a 6-4 vote, commissioners said yes to passing a tougher smoking ordinance that bans smoking from most public places in the county.

"I think once this goes into effect in 2019, the city of Augusta is going to be in for a rude awakening," said Tracy Ferris, A&M Amusement.

The ordinance goes further than just bars and clubs, but also bans smoking in lobbies and hallways of apartment buildings and condos. It even restricts smoking to golf courses that are open to the public.

"I just say it's a bad day for business in Augusta," said Ferris.

Comissioners also agreed to re-word one part of the ordinance that said smokers had to be at least 10 feet away from "smoke-free" areas. Commissioners changed that wording to say a "reasonable distance" away from smoke-free areas.

"One person's reasonable may be two feet. Somebody else's is maybe ten feet. Then who's gonna enforce that?" asked Williams.

Law enforcement and Augusta's Planning and Development Department will help enforce the ordinance which goes into effect January 1st, 2019.