Philly Smoking Ban Welcomed By Parents

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia is home to one of the highest rates of cigarette use in any big city and mayor Michael Nutter took a big step toward banning smoking in outdoor spaces on Monday.

The Philadelphia measure does not go as far as the New York city ban, but it does move the city in that directionm by banning smoking- indoors and outdoors- at all city-owned recreation centers, pools and playgrounds.

The mayor signed the executive order at the Kingsessing Rec Center surrounded by a group of local school kids.

The center seemed relatively free of litter, but even so, Fox 29 counted more than a hundred cigarette butts on the ground, suggesting that plenty of smoking is going on around kids out here trying to get some exercise.

"This is particularly important for children because their developing bodies are more vulnerable to the toxic effects of second-hand smoke," Nutter said. "Make no mistake- there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke."

The ban is another shot at smokers, further limiting their right to consume a legal product.

But the moms Fox 29 talked to at a Center city playground were loving the idea of a smoke-free environment for their kids.

The ban takes effect July 1st and there will be plenty of signage up, to remind smokers.

There are no financial penalty for violations, but the idea is not to make money, but to change behavior.