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11:29 p.m. • 5-22-13

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Published: 2011-02-01 15:19:00
Updated: 2011-02-01 17:47:42

Raleigh bans smoking in city parks


smoking
Study: Light smoking still carries severe health risks
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The Raleigh City Council voted 6-2 Tuesday to ban smoking in many public places in the city.

The new ordinance doesn't completely outlaw tobacco in city parks, on greenways and at city-owned venues; it only prevents people from lighting up. It also lets people smoke in city parking lots and anywhere in Nash Square and Moore Square downtown.

Receptacles for cigarette butts and "No Smoking" signs will be placed in parks and other venues.

More than three-fifths of people responding to a city survey said limits should be placed on smoking in city parks and greenways, officials said.

Councilmen John Odom and Thomas Crowder voted against the ordinance, which takes effect in July.

Raleigh tried to ban smoking in some parks three years ago, but the city lacked the legal authority to do so at the time. A year-old state law that bans smoking in indoor workplaces now allows local governments to ban smoking in public places.

"(The ban) will significantly reduce exposure to second-hand smoke for all park visitors," Laura Aiken, executive director of Advocates for Health in Action, said in a statement. "This change will also have the secondary benefits of reducing litter."


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HITWOMAN......you're a Raleigh rodent. Stop leaving your droppings all over this beautiful city.

Smokers are Raleighs rodents. They leave their "droppings" everywhere.

As I recall, Hitler hated smoking and wanted to ban it in Germany.

How do you enforce something like this?

Tell you what....I'll quit smoking in the parks when EVERYONE abides by the leash "rule" for their dogs.

This is just another case of tweaking the problem to fir the solution.

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