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Chester, Pa. Approves Smoking Ban Near Parks and Playgrounds

By David Madden

CHESTER, Pa. (CBS) -- You'll soon see new "no smoking" signs all over the city of Chester, in places where kids play.  And  they're more than just a suggestion.

The seventy-five new signs, provided by the Clean Air Council, read "Young Lungs at Play."

They arrived after Chester City Council adopted an ordinance, the first of its kind in Southeastern Pennsylvania, that bans smoking within 50 feet of parks, playgrounds, pools, and recreation centers in the city.

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(Chester mayor John Linder. Credit: David Madden)

"Breathing is essential to life, and if we don't protect the air that they breathe, we're going to have a community of unhealthy kids," said Chester mayor John Linder (right).

Violators could wind up with an unhealthy wallet: a judge could issue a fine up to $600 per offense.

A similar ban in Philadelphia was imposed by executive order, without legislative action.

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