Mayoral candidates voice their opinions on a smoking ban

• Candidates for the November election for mayor, Democrat Jack Scoville and Republican Marty Tennant were asked about the smoking ban issue. Below are their responses.

  * Do you feel there should be a smoking ban in the city of Georgetown?

  Tennant: Yes, the ban that already exists in SC State Law should be applied in the City of Georgetown. We should already be banning smoking in certain places due to South Carolina's 1990 statewide smoking law. The Clean Indoor Air Law, generally prohibits smoking only in (1) public schools, excluding offices and teacher lounges (unless a local school board says otherwise), (2) childcare facilities, (3) healthcare facilities, except in designated employee smoking areas (unless the facilities chooses to be smoke free), (4) government buildings, except in designated employee smoking areas (and except the State Capitol and legislative office buildings), (5) elevators, (6) public transportation vehicles, and (7) public theatres and arenas, except in designated smoking areas in common areas.

  Scoville: I personally believe all public restaurants and bars should be smoke free.

  However, before acting on this, I would like feedback from the business owners and public.

  Some restaurant owners have told me they favor a ban and others say they don't.

  I hope that the community would support a ban and that it not be forced on businesses by the Council but the Council acts in response to the demands of the citizens.

  * How long should the YMCA teens wait for action, either for or against their request?

  Tennant: As long as the City and County Councils take to act.

  I encourage them to take their request to our State legislature if they really want to achieve the ban they are seeking.

  Scoville: This is an excellent opportunity for these teens to learn how the political system works.

  I hope this article and the teens continued push for a ban will spark a serious public debate about the issue. Public support is needed to persuade City Council to enact a ban.

  * As mayor, will you push for a smoking ban in the city?

  Tennant: No, I believe this is an issue that should be addressed at the State level for consistency across all of South Carolina.

  Scoville: Yes, but there must be public support for it.

  * Would you like to add anything?

  Tennant: Voluntary smoking bans are already in place at most businesses. I favor freedom of choice for owners and customers. If a restaurant allows smoking and you object, stop eating there. If enough people agree, owners will change their policy, or see business decline. This is how our capitalistic society works.

  Scoville: I encourage people to contact me and council members in support of a ban.

  *

  Petition candidate Bob Sizemore had this to say about the topic of smoking bans in the city of Georgetown:

  I think that's appropriate on city and county property. I don't think the city or county ought to get involved in private property issues.