Saluda, N.C. Passes Smoking Ban

The small city of Saluda, N.C., home to approximately 700 residents and located in the southwest corner of the state, just over 90 miles west of Charlotte, passed a smoking ban this week, as the Board of Commissioners voted to prohibit smoking and e-cigarettes in city-owned buildings, vehicles and parks in Saluda.

The ordinance started to gain traction in mid-April as the board worked to figure out just what areas should be included in the ban. One of the main sticking points was the town’s pavilion, a popular spot for events and private rentals that some feared would lose business if it became a place where smoking wasn’t allowed. The final version of the bill included the pavilion, as well as the surrounding McCreery Park and downtown’s Spring Park, according to The Tryon Daily Bulletin.

While the ordinance directs enforcement officials to ask violators to put out any product in violation of the law before fining them, it does provide for up to a $50 fine should the individual fail to comply. City employees who violate the new law could also face disciplinary action as provided for within the city’s human resource policy.

The ordinance went into effect on May 12.

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 Major League Baseball, 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.