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Not all smokers against North Augusta smoking ban Save Email Print
Posted: 10:25 PM Aug 2, 2008
Last Updated: 2:05 PM Aug 3, 2008
Reporter: Ashley Jeffery
Email Address: ashley.jeffery@wrdw.com

A | A | A

News 12 @ 11 o'clock-- August 2, 2008

NORTH AUGUSTA, Sc--As Katrice Griffin and her son enjoy eating together at the Waffle House in North Augusta, the air is a little clearer. Chairs that are usually filled by smokers, today are empty and its all because of the city's new smoking ban.

"I really think it is a wonderful thing. I am a smoker, but I just think we should all have respect for other people," said Katrice.

But not all feel like this smoker.

"I personally don't smoke, but I just think its wrong. I think its just another one of our freedoms being taken away, " said Jake Jones, a North Augusta non-smoker.

Waffle House regulars are still coming to the restaurant as a part of their daily routine, but now have to step outside to smoke; even taking their coffee outside just to light up. And for some visitors here for a family reunion, that's exactly what smokers should have to do.

"For the longest, I was hoping that something would be done about the smoking in restaurants because I think smoking should be left outside," said Robert Dow, Sr.

And his son agrees.

"Many of the festivities were on this side of the river in the state of South Carolina, so there was a concern that smoking would be allowed in restaurants," said Robert Dow, Jr.

A concern that's no longer a problem because of the ban and as for Katrice, it couldn't have come at a better time.

"I think its more of a respect thing. I think its a great thing and will only improve the quality of life," said Katrice.

Respect that smokers in North Augusta will now have to consider.

The Waffle House expect to see an increase in customers because without a smoking section, they'll have more booths open for non-smokers. Other restaurants such as Al's Family Restaurant went smoke-free two weeks before the ban was in place and the owner says it hasn't hurt business.

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Posted by: Kent Location: North Augusta on Aug 4, 2008 at 08:17 PM
We probably wouldn't have smoking bans in the U.S. or in Europe if Senator Thomas Bliley's testimony about his Oversight Committee's investigation into the EPA had received media coverage... but it didn't, so the fraud continues. The public would realize that the alleged danger of secondhand smoke was a fraud perpetrated by anti-smoking activists working within the U.S. government as EPA employees. By 1986, the EPA had been deeply infiltrated by them. Sen. Bliley's testimony completely outlines the Committee's two-year investigation, and the fraud that was uncovered. And there's still no media coverage even now because the media was conned into being a blind spokesman for the fraud -- media must protect itself from the appearance of guilt by association. Media honesty dies a quick death. http://www.pipes.org/Articles/Bliley.html\

Posted by: KJKDKC on Aug 3, 2008 at 08:42 PM
I'm hightly allergic to cigerett smoke! Living only 4 mi from Waffel House on Martintown Rd, we'd drive to River Watch Waffle House. I'm glad that now we can eat in North Augusta anywhere & be smoke free & our grand-children can be in a smoke free envirement free from second hand smoke. Thank You North Augusta!

Posted by: anonymous Location: augusta on Aug 3, 2008 at 07:41 AM
I am as well as my husband are smokers and I completely agree and am happy with the law. We are currently taking "chantix" a quitting smoking aid and is working" As much as our flesh and minds need that cigarette, we hate it . It stinks, not healthy and not healthy for others around. We have never smoked in a restaraunt or in our cars. We have 2 children and respect them as well as other non smokers in them. It will not hurt smokers (like myself) to step outside or sacrifice for a little bit, while in a restaraunt. The less we smoke the better we are. Advertisement, Chantix works, my husband started the meds a wk before myself and is now down from a pack and a half a day to 1 or 2 that he really could have done without. And with the price of gas consistenly rising, we all could afford and will probably have no choice financially to quit.

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