Meck Co. leaders to decide smoking ban on county parks

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mecklenburg County Commissioners will decide in September whether to ban smoking from all county parks including all greenways.

Smokers banned from smoking on Carolinas Medical Center property converge on the nearby Little Sugar Creek Greenway where there are joggers, bicyclists and walkers.

“You've got a good minute of breathing in smoke,” said bicyclist Martha Schmitt. “I don't think they should be smoking on the greenway.”

Then there are people that oppose the possible ban.

“I hate government interference in everything,” Rick Ganze said.

Some who are exercising said they should not have to smell smoke but Ganze said they should not go to that location.

“Well then, the hospital should designate a smoker area up there,” Ganze said.

But CMC said they won’t do that.

County leaders will have another public hearing at their Sept. 2 meeting before they vote later in the month.

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