DeKalb County bans smoking in public parks - Los Angeles Local News, Weather, and Traffic

The DeKalb County Commission has banned  smoking in several public places. The ban includes DeKalb parks, playgrounds and customer service lines at businesses.

The county says it took the move out of concern for folks with breathing problems.

"If you're standing in line at the ATM, you don't have to have smoke around you, but the main thing is the parks and playgrounds," said Dr. Elizabeth Ford of the DeKalb County Board of Health.

While county officials say they are pleased with this ban, their hope is for it to be eventually expanded and for it to cover many more public places.

"This is a big step, moving this piece forward because I think we can at least protect our children and those folks that are outside," said Ford.

Some smokers said they disagree with the ban.

"I feel if you're old enough to smoke and you're not smoking around no kids and you're smoking in an open parks, that's the designated smoking areas. As long as you aren't smoking around people who don't want smoke in their face," said Julius McBride.

The county failed to put a similar ban in place a year ago. Last year's plan would have expanded the ban to include bars, night clubs and restaurants.

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