Middle Georgia Reacts to New Smoking Rules

The ordinance doesn’t ban smoking on streets or sidewalks,  but it does state smoking near public entrances is no longer allowed.

Although the majority of Macon City Council voted in favor of this ban, not all Middle Georgians seem to be on the same page.

Shelly Herrell is visiting friends in Macon. Herrell says, “I’m not a smoker, but I also feel like the people who smoke have a right to go inside other places than their house or out in their yard, if they want to go out and drink a beer and have a cigarette, they should have the right to do that.”

City council member Mike Cranford shares his thoughts too.

“What started off as a grand idea has ended up as a colossal failure because it takes away individual choice and individual freedom and it puts a great financial burden on business people in this community.”

Macon City Councilman Rick Hutto knows first-hand the impact of secondhand smoke.

“My mother died of lung cancer and she never smoked a cigarette in her life.”

Hutto believes everyone has the right to smoke, but not in public places.

Co-Owner of Wagers Bar and Grill Ryan Williams doesn’t think the new smoking rules will have a positive impact on local businesses.

“The government says it will bring more non-smokers out to bars, but non-smokers already have plenty of places they can go to…all it’s going to do is drive the people who like to have a beer and smoke to other places, other cities and bring other cities revenue or they’ll just stay home.”

Richardson Merck hasn’t picked up a cigarette in nearly 35 years. For him, it has everything to do with his wellness.

“Everybody’s breathing the same smoke, in and out and it’s dangerous for the health.”

The Macon City Council voted 9 to 6 for the new rules Tuesday.