A proposed smoking ban that would ban smoking in all private businesses in Conway, S.C. will get its first vote at tonight’s city council meeting. The council announced its intention to bring a smoking ban ordinance to a vote in early December, and while it must go through two votes before passage, tonight’s meeting will be the first real test of how much likelihood it has of passing. If it eventually becomes law, violators would be fined $100 and business owners would also face penalties for allowing smoking in their establishments. The ordinance would force smokers at least five feet from the entrance to a building or store before lighting up. Tobacco stores, cigar bars and hotels will be permitted as long as the establishments have proper ventilation systems. All facets of the bill will be up for discussion before the vote is taken, meaning that the fines, minimum distance or possible exemptions could be modified. Conway is located about 100 miles northeast of Charleston and 15 miles northwest of Myrtle Beach. It has a population of approximately 19,300.
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