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A third of South Carolina officially smoke free
Posted: 05.11.2011 at 6:36 AM
Updated: 05.11.2011 at 6:35 PM
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COLUMBIA (WACH, AP) -- A third of South Carolina is officially smoke free.

The South Carolina Tobacco Collaborative says 34 percent of the state's population now lives in areas covered by workplace smoking bans.

Three more South Carolina cities have approved indoor smoking bans, bringing the total number of smoke-free towns and counties to 41 statewide.

“I am not saying that I want to expose everyone to my smoke or anything like that, but we shouldn't be pushed outside,” says smoker Rob Cherry.

The SCTC said Tuesday that smoking bans that include restaurants and bars recently passed in Atlantic Beach, Florence and Spartanburg.

The Atlantic Beach Town Council gave final approval last week to the ban that takes effect July 2. It also bans smoking on the beach, beach walkovers and within 30 feet of public buildings.

Florence and Spartanburg city councils passed theirs Monday. Spartanburg's ban takes effect in September. Florence's takes effect in November.

“The people that are choosing to smoke should respect the fact that we don't want to be around it,” says non-smoker Mark Whitesides.

According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of states with comprehensive indoor-smoking bans went from zero in 2000 to 25 in 2010.  The CDC predicts no-smoking rules will be everywhere by 2020.

Related Stories...
Should county clarify smoking distance from entrances?  
Bill to stop smoking with children in car killed by lawmakers 
Irmo puts smoking ordinance in place 

What do you think about more South Carolina cities putting indoor and, in some cases, outdoor smoking bans in place?  Vote in our poll and leave your thoughts below in the comment section.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)

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