If higher levels of government don't respect lower government, the spirit our laws are brought into question. His arguments swayed Councilman Derick Berlage, who said the issue of local government rights convinced him to support the measure just before the vote. The ban will take effect once the village works out the administrative details, Muller said. Anyone caught smoking or discarding cigarette butts on locally maintained sidewalks or parks will be warned the first time. Opponents plan acts of civil disobedience, and a lawsuit from the tobacco industry is expected.
Some local residents are outraged for other reasons.
Cleo Travani, president of the Friendship Heights civic association, does not approve of smoking but said the law gives the town a bad reputation. We don't like the impression it makes on our community. The ban is not Montgomery County's first foray into controversy on smoking. A county smoking ban in local restaurants is to take effect in January 2002, but the legality of that rule will be decided by an appeals court. The Associated Press.