The showdown begins on the Isle of Palms. In one corner sits owners of local businesses. In the other is a city council seriously considering a smoking ban. It was a packed house Tuesday night in council chambers as members cast their vote.

In a very close, five to four vote, the first reading passed. Prior to the vote, people from both sides of the argument made their presence felt.

It was pretty easy to figure out where people stand on the proposed smoking ban. The issue is dividing the town in half. Acme Cantina allows smoking in the bar area, while the rest is smoke free dining. Its employees, the same people the ban is designed to protect, spoke out in opposition.

"At no point did I or anyone I work with request protection," said Wesley Russell.

Robert Simons runs the bar and grill. He says the council members in favor of the ban did not examine both sides of the issue.

"Why haven't any of the supporters of the ban on council come to talk to my employees?" asked Simons.

Those looking to extinguish workplace smoking say health and public safety should be the council's number one priority. At the center of debate is the idea of choice. Should business owners make the decision on their own? The majority of restaurants on Isle of Palms already prohibit smoking inside.

"There are just a handful of businesses left on the island and I see no reason not to let them make their own decision," said Laura McMaster.

Bert's bar didn't get a choice after Sullivan's Island banned smoking. That is one reason it had to close. But on the Isle of Palms, the vote was very close. Simons says council members had their minds made up before the first person had a chance to speak.

The ban only applies to enclosed areas, at this point smoking would still be allowed on patio and deck areas. We'll have to wait at least another month to see how this showdown turns out, a second and final reading is expected in September.