FLORENCE -- Florence City Council will hold a public hearing Thursday, March 3rd on an ordinance to ban smoking in all public places in the city.

The hearing will be held at 4 p.m. at the Florence City County Complex.

Mayor Stephen Wukela, Councilwoman Teresa Myers Ervin, Councilman Glynn Willis and Mayor Pro tem Buddy Brand co-sponsored the ordinance. They say it will protect workers, children and the citizens of Florence from secondhand smoke.

If passed, smoking would be prohibited in all enclosed buildings and spaces which are open to the public and have employees. It does not apply to private homes unless used as a licensed day care, adult day care, or healthcare facility. The ordinance does allow smoking at the owner/manager's discretion on open decks, balconies and patios of restaurants.

SmokeFree Florence organized last March to educate community, groups, churches and community leaders on the dangers of secondhand smoke.

So far, the group has 53 restaurants in the city limits of Florence that support them and are smoke-free.

At this point, the ordinance hasn't been formally introduced but officials say they're seeking the public's input.

The ordinance is expected to be formally introduced at the Florence City Council meeting on March 14th at 1 p.m. at the Florence City County Complex.

Read a previous story on the proposed ordinance here.