Last week, the Santa Monica City Council voted unanimously to ban smoking in all 15 city parks because of concerns about the health risks associated with second-hand smoke and the likelihood that children might ingest discarded cigarette butts.
The council is scheduled to review the law a second time in April, 30 days after which it will go into effect. Smokers who are cited under the law will be fined $250.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 31, 2003. Read the original PDF.