AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Augusta is joining other Georgia cities that ban smoking in bars and most other public, indoor spaces.
The Augusta Chronicle reports Mayor Hardie Davis signed the city’s new smoke-free ordinance at a ceremony Thursday. The law takes effect Jan. 1.
Davis says the Augusta ordinance was modeled on a local smoking ban Savannah adopted in 2010. Athens also has a similar law. Georgia lawmakers enacted a statewide ban in 2005 on smoking in restaurants and other indoor spaces where minors are allowed.
The Augusta ordinance does not apple to outdoor spaces — such as golf courses — and exempts hookah bars and retail shops that sell vaping devices that were already in business when the smoke-free ordinance was adopted.
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Information from: The Augusta Chronicle , http://www.augustachronicle.com