The county council hereby finds that:
(1) The Surgeon General of the United States has declared that smoking is the number 1 public health issue of our time;
(2) The United States Environmental Protection Agency has concluded that passive smoking appears to pose a public health risk larger than the hazardous air pollutants from all industrial emissions combined;
(3) The County of Greenville recognizes the increasing evidence that smoke creates a danger to the health of some citizens, and is a cause of annoyance and discomfort to those who are in confined spaces where smoke is present;
(4) It is the right of citizens to be able to choose for themselves to smoke either actively or passively;
(5) It is the policy of this county to require food product establishments which have enclosed dining areas to provide adequate seating for those patrons who prefer to dine in a non-smoking area;
(6) It is desirable to authorize employers to designate non-smoking areas in certain workplaces;
(7) In order to protect the health and welfare of those citizens, as well as to protect the rights of smokers and non-smokers, it is necessary to restrict smoking in public places except in areas designated as smoking areas; and
(8) The citizens of Greenville have demonstrated a desire to comply with county ordinances which protect public health and welfare.
(1976 Code, § 15-21) (Ord. 2065, § 1, passed 1-16-1990)