Atlanta leaders are considering a smoking ban in several popular public areas around the city.

The ban would cover city parks and park facilities. On Friday, Channel 2’s John Bachman spoke to residents on both sides of the issue at midtown’s Piedmont Park.
   
"I think it's a great idea because we come out here to get healthy. We run. We play, bring our children here," park jogger Dianne Meinhardt told Bachman.

In addition to parks, the ban also covers city golf courses, city athletic fields and city swimming pools. Atlanta councilman Alex Wan is co-sponsoring the ordinance, which could lead to an up to $1,000 fine for violators.

"When you have children, families, people trying to exercise, I think prohibiting imposition of second-hand smoke on that is not an unreasonable request," Wan said.

But one golfer said it is uncalled for.

“Seeing as it's a public place, first of all, and the fact as you have as much space as you do, somebody doesn't have to be right next to you when you're smoking a cigarette," Dean Jackson said.

He had just finished playing at the city-owned Candler Park golf course.

"Can you really choose what you're going to smell in a public place? If somebody's grilling out, and you don't like what they're cooking, are you going to tell them to stop grilling? No, it's a public place," Jackson continued.

A council committee is expected to talk about the proposed smoking ban Tuesday. If it passes there, the whole council will have the final say.

To read more about the proposed ordinance and what Atlantans think, check out the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.