The town council of Clover, S.C. passed a new ban on the use of tobacco and tobacco alternatives in town parks and recreation sites on Monday night, a change that will allow the city to fine violators up to $25 who disobey the new rule. The ordinance received unanimous support from the seven-member council. The proposal has been in the works for over a month as an update to a similar ban passed in 2004 that prohibited tobacco use in recreation sites, but had no provisions for enforcement or fines. The new rules also allow park staff to remove violators from the area if they fail to comply. Town manager Allison Harvey told EnquirerHerald.com that the change comes after a spectator refused to stop using an electronic cigarette at a youth athletic practice. Without an enforcement provision in the law, park staff was at a loss to take further action to get the individual to stop. This new ban also includes a provision for electronic cigarettes because of that situation. Clover is home to approximately 5,400 residents and is located in the northern part of the state, approximately 30 miles southwest of Charlotte, N.C.
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