Lakewood Parks Going Smoke-Free?

Smoking in Ohio’s bars, restaurants and public buildings was banned in 2006.

Now, smoking in may be a thing of the past.

Councilwomen Monique Smith and Mary Louise Madigan introduced a measure on Monday that would make it illegal to smoke in the city’s 15 parks.

“It’s time for Lakewood to take the next step,” Smith read from a co-authored letter penned to council.

“Our parks, and people who use them, need to go smoke free.”

They also addressed the issue of cigarette butts littering the parks.

“It is behavior that Lakewood’s children and youth do not need to see while they are riding, running or playing,” they wrote. “And it is behavior we should not allow at the skate park, tennis courts or ball fields.”

Council gave the go-ahead for the law department to draft legislation for an ordinance, which would be considered through council’s human services committee.