Public parks go smoke-free

PUBLIC PARKS in Philadelphia are now officially smoke-free.

Mayor Nutter signed an executive order yesterday that extends the city's smoke-free regulations by banning smoking in city parks, effective immediately.

That includes more than 100 neighborhood parks and 11,000 acres in total.

Philadelphia joins other major cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta that already have smoke-free public parks.

Nutter said the policy will help protect the environment, reduce secondhand smoke and motivate smokers to quit.

The city passed an ordinance in 2006 making workplaces, restaurants and bars smoke-free.