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Wilmington Bans Smoking In Some Parts Of The City

By Syma Chowdhry

WILMINGTON, Del. (CBS) – Wilmington's mayor Dennis Williams has signed an executive order banning smoking in some public places in the city.

It will ban smoking in all transit facilities, like bus stops, parks and playgrounds.

"People shouldn't have to be on a playground with their children and have secondary smoke blowing into their faces. It's not fair to them, and it's not fair for the kids who want to go there and enjoy the park," Mayor Williams says.

Some smokers disagree.

"As long as they sell cigarettes, I believe in my heart that you should be able to smoke wherever you want to smoke," says David Chatt.

Earlier this month, City Council voted against the smoking ban because some council members wanted to make amendments to include designated smoking areas.

"A step in the right direction to clean our city up," says Councilman Robert Williams of the ban.

He sponsored the bill that was voted down and says it will help beautify the city.

"Cigarette butts are not biodegradable. Somebody has to come around and sweep them up," Councilman Williams says.

Eyewitness News reached out to the members who voted against the smoking ban, and none were available for interview.

Smokers we spoke with, though, feel like they're losing their rights.

"It's outside. If you don't want to be around it, just walk away," says smoker Justin McNulty.

"Next they will be telling you what to do in your home," agrees Carolyn McNulty.

"I understand how they feel. The non-smokers have a right to feel how they feel, and I believe this [ban] makes our parks cleaner and our bus stops a lot cleaner for people to sit," says Mayor
Williams.

The law goes into effect immediately.

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