Columbia County, GA Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

Columbia County's smoking article, adopted by Ord. No. 04-08 and effective January 1, 2005, prohibits smoking in all public places and sports arenas in the unincorporated county under Sec. 46-82, listing 22 categories including restaurants and attached bars, banks, health care facilities, hotels and motels (except designated smoking rooms), retail stores, shopping malls, service lines, elevators, educational facilities, and buildings, vehicles, and meeting rooms controlled by Columbia County. Sec. 46-83 separately bans smoking in all enclosed facilities within places of employment without exception, covering work areas, conference rooms, private offices, restrooms and vehicles.

Sec. 46-84 extends the ban to within ten feet of any door serving a smoke-free enclosed area, measured from the center of the door, unless the door has a properly operating vertical air curtain. Sec. 46-85 exempts private residences (unless used as licensed child care, health care, or similar facility), hotel or motel rooms designated for smoking (capped at 20 percent of guest rooms), retail tobacco stores deriving at least 85 percent of revenue from tobacco, outdoor areas of workplaces, and outdoor dining areas that may be roofed but must be open on at least three sides.

Owners may also voluntarily designate any establishment or outdoor area as entirely nonsmoking under Sec. 46-86 by posting a sign meeting Sec. 46-87's requirements, which also mandates 'No Smoking' signage at every entrance of a covered public place or workplace and removal of ashtrays from prohibited areas.