Bill would ban smoking in restaurants statewide

Publication Date: 2005-03-28

• Author:JOHN C. DRAKE
• Publication:Columbia (SC) State

State Rep. Todd Rutherford, D-Richland, introduced a bill in the Legislature last week that would ban smoking in restaurants throughout the state.

"I'm one of those nonsmokers who goes out to eat a lot and just gets sick of people smoking everywhere," he said. "It affects your clothes. You stink when you leave. You can't enjoy your meal."

He intentionally excluded bars from the legislation, which has eight co-sponsors -- four Democrats and four Republicans.

"I think we need to take a step-by-step approach and not try to do too much at one time," he said.

The S.C. Tobacco Collaborative has begun gathering support for a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants in Columbia. It plans to seek City Council's support later this year.