Wilmington to consider more smoking restrictions

(AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
A Wilmington committee wants public input on a proposed ordinance that would ban smoking in outdoor public places.
The ordinance being considered in Wilmington’s Health, Aging and Disabilities committee would prohibit smoking in public places like parks, playgrounds and transit facilities.
The sponsors of the measure, Council Members Robert Williams, D-7th District, Sherry Dorsey Walker D-6th District, and Trippi Congo, D-2nd District, want to get input from the public on the proposal before it moves forward later this summer.
To facilitate public comment, they established an email address for city residents to send their thoughts: NoSmoking@WilmingtonDE.gov. Comments can also be sent to the ordinance sponsors via city council’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
The proposal would allow warning notices to be issued by workers with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, the state Division of Parks, Downtown Visions and the DART Transit Corporation. The first offense would be punishable by a $50 fine, a second violation within three months would draw a $90 fine, and a $100 fine for all subsequent violations.
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