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.
Do you agree with the ban? Post your comments below!
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:24 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:24:30 GMT
Rising flood waters trapped horses inside a Sandy Springs stable on Sunday afternoon. Rescue teams were called to Summit Equestrian Solutions on River Run around 4 p.m.
Rising flood waters trapped horses inside a Sandy Springs stable on Sunday afternoon. Rescue teams were called to Summit Equestrian Solutions on River Run around 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:10 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:10:38 GMT
On a day filled with nasty storms and heavy rains, there is a bright spot. A Suwanee police officer is being credited with saving the life of a baby bunny that was swept away by flood waters.
On a day filled with nasty storms and heavy rains, there is a bright spot. A Suwanee police officer is being credited with saving the life of a baby bunny that was swept away by flood waters during Sunday's downpour.
Sunday, May 19 2013 2:00 PM EDT2013-05-19 18:00:39 GMT
President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of soggy graduates and guests at Morehouse College's spring commencement ceremony on Sunday.
President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of soggy graduates and guests at Morehouse College's spring commencement ceremony on Sunday, telling graduates to take the power of their example-- as black men graduating from college-- and use it to improve people's lives.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:53 PM EDT2013-05-19 17:53:40 GMT
President Barack Obama addressed graduates at Morehouse College's commencement ceremony in Atlanta on Sunday.
President Barack Obama addressed graduates at Morehouse College's commencement ceremony in Atlanta on Sunday, marking the first time a sitting president has made a commencement address in Georgia since 1938. See photos from his visit to Atlanta here!
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:09 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:09:05 GMT
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
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