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No smoking in Florence City Parks

By Josh Ault  bio|e-mail

FLORENCE, AL (WAFF) - Smokers in Florence are adjusting to the city's recently passed public smoking ban.  This ban includes no smoking in city parks.

Labor Day is the first holiday since the city council approved this ban.  Many families were out in the park Monday, and were happy with the change.

Deibert Park is one of the largest parks in Florence.  It has miles of walking paths.

"I like to bring my kids down to feed the ducks," said Andrew Olive, of Florence.

"We just love being in the park," said Ferrel Mefford, of Florence.

The news that a smoking ban is in effect was a surprise to some.

"I didn't know they had," said O.T. Mefford, of Florence.

"I think it was good," said Markus Smith, of Killen, who was running at the park Monday. "It's great for the community.  Keeps a clean environment for us runners."

Smith and Lorianna Lovelace are members of the Brooks High School Cross Country Team.  They run at Deibert Park often.

"I had my grandmother die from lung cancer," said Lovelace. "Keep parks smoke-free."

Andrew Olive used to be a smoker, he feels the ban is good.

"If somebody is smoking and my kids are around," he said. "It's not going to be good."

Not everyone agrees with kicking out smokers.

"I think it's fine in the open spaces," said O.T. Mefford. "I think it fringes on other people when you smoke in closed areas."

Mefford's wife disagrees.

"I think it's a good idea that we do not smoke in the park because of our children playing in the park," said Ferrel Mefford.

Well no you do not have an option.  So if you do decide to smoke in Florence City Parks, beware, there is going to be a penalty.

That penalty could be a fine of up to $500.

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