Manchester approves temporary smoking ban in public parks

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - Officials in the New Hampshire city of Manchester have approved a temporary ban on smoking in public parks.

The Board of Aldermen approved the 6-month ban Tuesday. The parks affected include Victory, Veteran’s, Pulaski, Bronstein and Stanton Plaza.

Law enforcement officials say they support the ban because it could help curtail those smoking synthetic marijuana. Opponents of the measure say it infringes on people’s rights to smoke freely.

Violators of the ban will have to pay $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second and would be required to appear before court the third time.

Nine New Hampshire towns have banned smoking in parks, fields and local beaches.