Ban of Nicotine Products in Marion Parks begins Saturday

Beginning Saturday, the city of Marion will ban the use of all nicotine products in city parks and trails. Marion will join nearly 50 other cities in banning cigarettes, cigars, electronic cigarettes and other nicotine products. Marion is one of the first cities to ban chewing tobacco and e-cigarettes. Even though the ordinance goes into affect this weekend, fines won't be handed out until after September 1st, several days after Marion's Swamp Fox Festival. After that date, violators face a fine of $50.

Will the city of Cedar Rapids be next in line? City officials have already considered such a ban. In May the Cedar Rapids Parks, Waterways and Recreation commission recommended a nicotine ban at public outdoor facilities. The hold up is whether to include the cities golf courses in that ban. The discussion has been put on hold and no ban will happen until 2016 at the earliest.