Humboldt parks are now smoke-free

HUMBOLDT - Smoking is now prohibited in city parks in Humboldt. The Humboldt City Council approved the ban at Monday's council meeting.

Iowa's new Smokefree Air Act prohibits smoking in public buildings and their surroundings but certain outdoor areas are left to the discretion of property owners. Some of those areas are public parks.

Two weeks ago the City Council asked the city park board to make a recommendation. The council felt that any policy should apply equally to all city parks.

''At their meeting they approved to make all parks within the city of Humboldt smoke-free,'' City Administrator Lorie Bennett said of the park board.

The council accepted the recommendation; however, it does not affect other outdoor areas owned by the city, Bennett said.