Smokers in Fort Smith, Ark. could soon lose the ability to smoke in the city’s parks, as yesterday the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission approved a ban on the use of all tobacco products in parks, citing both health and litter concerns.
The move does not making smoking in parks illegal, at least yet. It must first gain the approval of the city’s Board of Directors, which next meets on Feb. 21 though it is unclear if the item will make it onto that meeting’s agenda. Additionally, the proposed ordinance includes a requirement that entities renting parks for public events may provide designated smoking areas as long as they also provide trash receptacles in those areas.
According to a report by SWTimes.com, violators of the ban would face a maximum fine of $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second offense, $100 for a third offense and $250 for any subsequent offenses.
Fort Smith is home to just over 88,000 residents, making it the second largest city in Arkansas.