GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. – Michael Ramm has been smoking since he was a teenager. He says it's a hard habit to break.
Still, Ramm supports Glynn County's new ban on tobacco use on public property, which says smokers soon won't be able to light up on any public property, including in outdoor space.
"It doesn't bother me one bit," he said. "I can understand where they're coming from with that."
On March 18, the Glynn County Police Department, detention center, courthouse, commission building and courthouse annex will all ban tobacco use anywhere on their properties.
Throughout the year, tobacco use will be banned on other county land, such as parks.
Breaking the new rule will mean a $50 fine.
Glynn County Commission Chairwoman Mary Hunt proposed the law for her children.
"We live in a coastal community and people are jogging and bicycling, and we want to be an advocate for healthy living," Hunt said.
Opinions of the smoking ban are mixed, even among married couples.
"These folks are taxpayers also and they have a certain amount of rights," said James Kent, a nonsmoker. "They don't have a right to take our rights away from us, you know, but saying they can't smoke out in front of the parking lot, that's a little steep in my opinion."
"I am not a smoker and I have a lot of allergies, so I can get near someone smoking and it will affect my allergies. So that will be good for me, personally," said Symone Kent, who supports the ban.
Ramm thinks the ban may help his fellow smokers kick the habit.
"I don't think it's a bad thing," he said. "I'm trying to quit smoking myself anyways."