While a proposed smoking ban has failed twice in recent years, the Augusta Commission will be considering the proposal within a matter of weeks as Mayor Pro-Tem Corey Johnson thinks it might finally have enough steam to pass.

Johnson told WJBF.com that while some bars are going smoke-free without a ban in place, he feels that enacting an no smoking ordinance would help to level the playing field and “take pressure away from owners who fear losing business.” His proposal is expected to be an all-out ban on smoking in public places, including bars.

A specific date for the proposal to be presented to the Augusta Commussion has yet to be announced, though Johnson said he expects it will be ready in six weeks.

Augusta is the third largest city and second largest metropolitan area in Georgia, with just under 200,000 residents and a metro area of more than 575,000.

 

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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for MLB.com, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.