Bibb county commissioners voted to ban smoking at all Bibb County parks, with the exception of some parks at Lake Tobesofkee.
Recreation director Doc Dougherty brought the measure before a committee meeting Tuesday morning.
He says the county only has smoking policies around buildings, and it's time to pay attention to the issue at community parks.
"We have parks for nature and open space and clean air, yet you've got people smoking right next to kids running to first base or running for a touchdown on a football field or playing a soccer match," he said.
Commissioners voted 4 to 1 in committee to pass the measure. Commissioner Bert Bivins was the dissenting vote -- he thought some accommodations should be made for smokers.
"The problem with designated areas," said Dougherty, "is we would have to have so many of them. Freedom Park just that alone, we'd have to have designated areas all over the park. It would be too costly, and nobody goes to that one designated area to smoke."
Commissioners Lonzy Edwards and Joe Allen spoke in favor of the measure.
"It's going to be spectacular for a lot of people," said Allen. "Some people will dislike it, but I'm sorry I've got to do this. This is something I really believe in, and this board, I believe, they're going to be congratulated for doing something that was needed a long time ago."
Dougherty says the law is meant to empower recreation employees, and average residents, to reduce smoking around children and among a crowd of non-smokers.
The full commission is expected to pass the new rule Tuesday at 6 pm.