State Status
No Preemption
News Summary
SC Supreme Court says Cities can Ban Smoking
Publication Date: 2008-03-31
- Publication:WLTX-TV 19
The South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled that cities and towns have the power to ban smoking in public places.
In a unanimous decision handed down Monday, the justices upheld a prohibition levied by the city of Greenville.
Greenville banned indoor smoking in public places last year.
Dozens of bars and restaurants sued, claiming the ban hurt business.
The justices' decision could affect the dozen or so smoking bans already approved in counties, cities and towns across the state.
Some cities including Columbia had passed local bans but held off enforcing them until the high court ruled on the issue.