§ 42-263. Applicable distance limitations; single exception.

In order to prevent secondhand smoke from entering a healthcare facility or disturbing a patient or visitor to a healthcare facility:

(1)

Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section 42-263, there shall be no distance limitation on the prohibition from smoking on the premises of any healthcare facility, or its points of entry and exit.

(2)

The smoking prohibition created by this article shall apply to those healthcare facilities that have opted to be smoke-free pursuant to S.C. Code § 44-95-20(3) and shall extend 25 feet in every direction from the property line of every healthcare facility premises subject hereto; onto or across any public sidewalk, right-of-way, road or access route; and onto or across any public property contiguous with any such healthcare facility premises.

(3)

The smoking prohibition created by this article shall not apply to a patient or resident of any licensed nursing, long-term care, assisted-living, extended care, or home for the aged facility, provided the patient or resident of such facility has requested in writing to be placed in a room where smoking is permitted and provided that smoke from these places does not infiltrate into areas where smoking is prohibited under the provisions of this article. However, nothing in this section prohibits or precludes a healthcare facility from being smoke free.

(4)

A healthcare facility may elect to provide a smoking area in employee break areas pursuant to S.C. Code, § 44-95-20(3).

(Ord. No. 10-09, § 4, 7-12-2010)