The northern Arkansas city of Harrison appears headed towards a smoking ban in city parks and sports facilities, as the city council held a first reading on the proposal Thursday night. The anti-tobacco ordinance would also prohibit the use of electronic nicotine delivery devices and extend into the parking lots of the affected areas. On Monday, the Harrison Parks and Recreation Committee voted to give its support to the ban. While it takes three readings of a proposal for it to receive final approval, the council decided to suspend the second and third readings and move them to its Nov. 19 meeting in order to give the public an opportunity to comment on the matter, according to HarrisonDaily.com. Fines for violators would start at $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second and $300 for a third violation, all of which would have court costs added on as well. Persons refusing to comply with the ban could also be cited for criminal trespassing. Harrison is home to just over 13,000 residents.
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