Bill bans smoking in government offices, raises fine

Publication Date: 2005-03-03

• Author:AP
• Publication:The (Myrtle Beach, SC) Sun News

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Smokers could face a $20 fine for lighting up in state-owned buildings under a bill that is headed to the Senate Medical Affairs Committee.

Some state-owned buildings now have lounges and offices where smoking is allowed. The fine for smoking in prohibited locations is a minimum of $10.

On Wednesday, a Medical Affairs subcommittee approved a bill that prohibits smoking in all areas of more public buildings, such as private government offices and teacher lounges.

The bill targets secondhand-smoke concerns and is intended to ensure that taxpayer-paid role models, such as school coaches and teachers, aren't smoking around students, said Sen. Mike Fair, R-Greenville.