The city of Greenwood’s ban on smoking in public places takes effect Aug. 16.

The new ordinance was approved Tuesday by the city council.

Smokers will face a $50 fine for the first offense and $250 for the second and subsequent offenses.

Owners who allow smoking in their businesses would be subject to a $100 fine for the first offense, $200 for the second offense and $500 for a third offense. After the third offense, the council could revoke the business license.

Smoking would be permitted 25 feet from the entrance and 10 feet from the exit of a business.

Councilman Johnny Jennings said the ordinance is a turning point in the city.

“I think people will look back in 50 years knowing that we started to think about the rights of those that don’t smoke,” he said.

Greenwood is the latest Mississippi city to prohibit smoking in public places. Others include Tupelo, Hattiesburg, Ridgeland and Starkville.