Officials want to ban smoking in Seattle's public parks

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle officials are hoping to expand the city's smoking ban to public parks.

The Seattle Times reports Mayor Ed Murray's administration is asking the Board of Park Commissioners to approve a new rule that would prohibit smoking in all public parks in Seattle.

The new rule would go farther than the city's current ban, which prohibits smoking, chewing or other tobacco use only within 25 feet of other park patrons and in play areas, beaches or playgrounds.

Breaking the new rule would result in a warning, followed by possible park exclusion for repeated violations.