Augusta commissioners gave final approval Tuesday to an amendment to the city’s smoking ordinance to allow for cigar bars to operate in Richmond County.
The main amendment making cigar bars eligible for an indoor air certificate of exemption received final approval at its second reading. Companion items to amend the city alcohol license to include a definition for a cigar bar and to set an administrative and regulatory fee structure were both approved and need only a second commission reading to make cigar bars operational in Augusta.
MORE: Opinion: Strip Clubs and Cigar Bars Dominate Augusta Politics
Despite compelling testimony from Augusta University medical professionals about the harmful effects of cigar and cigarette smoke on humans, especially children, commissioners voted 7-3 in favor of Commissioner Jordan Johnson’s motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bobby Williams, to amend the smoking ordinance. Only Commissioners Sean Frantom, Brandon Garrett and John Clarke voted against it.
Commissioners also approved Johnson’s motion, seconded by Commissioner Dennis Williams, to approve the companion items 7-3 with the same commissioners voting no that voted against amending the smoking ordinance.
Augusta University Pediatrics Specialist Dr. Courtney Widjaja told commissioners she was deeply humbled to stand before them to advocate for the voices of the children of Augusta and encouraged them to think of their sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, grandsons and granddaughters and their hopes and dreams for the future.
[adrotate banner=”19″]
“Has anyone in this room used an inhaler before?” she asked. “Anyone know a family that was burdened by a diagnosis of sudden death syndrome or even heard of a diagnosis of invasive bacterial meningococcemia. That is a fancy way of saying permanent neurological devastation. And these are all associated with second-hand and third-hand smoke exposure.
“The reason this has to do with cigar lounges is because all of these diagnoses are severely exacerbated and are associated with the worst outcomes and prolonged hospitalizations.”
Dr. Widjaja said all children should grow up in a smoke-free environment, and everyone should do everything possible to encourage smoking cessation.
Medical College of Georgia Family Medicine Specialist Dr. Kim Thompson talked about the number of patients she had seen the day before who have cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease or have had strokes.
“Nearly all of these adults had smoked or were still using tobacco products,” she said.
Dr. Thomson also spoke of the dangers of second-hand and third hand smoke, which is toxic and kills smokers and non-smokers alike.
“We implore you to stand on the right side of morality and history and to not allow this law to be compromised or sidestepped by allowing cigar bars to open in Augusta,” she said. “Cigars are actually more harmful than cigarettes, even for people who don’t intentionally inhale.”
[adrotate banner=”13″]
Commissioner Alvin Mason, who voted against amending the smoking ordinance two weeks ago, said he said then that he didn’t have enough information and had since learned that there were cigar bars in Greenville, Baton Rouge and several other cities.
Mason said he’d done his due diligence and had visited a cigar bar to see the layout.
“We have public cigar smoking allowed at the Masters for instance,” he said. “They’re exempted from that, but it’s still a spot where you can smoke cigars. We have designated areas, even around here where you can go out and smoke cigarettes. At an airport, they’ll have a designated spot where you can go and smoke.”
MORE: Amended Smoking Law On Hold Until Commission Passes Other Changes
Mason said it was difficult for him to have the government get so deep into people’s lives; it’s legislating morality.
“That’s a slippery slope right there because how far do you want the government to come in,” he said. “It’s a freedom of choice. That’s really what it boils down to. I defended this nation over 20-plus years, and 37 years in defense for our freedoms, so I’m a little conflicted from that perspective.”
Sylvia Cooper is a Correspondent with The Augusta Press. Reach her at sylvia.cooper@theaugustapress.com.
[adrotate banner=”51″]
