BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Despite a 7-year-old smoking ban, Bostonians are still lighting up their cigarettes in the nation's oldest public park.
Tuesday was a beautiful day to get some fresh air on Boston Common. However, despite the ban, there was still smoke in the air and all kinds of it.
"Cigarettes, cigars, whatever I'm smoking I smoke," said Joseph from Malden. And the thing is, all of it is illegal on the Common, and it has been since 2014.
"I see everybody else do it, so I kept doing it," said James from Boston.
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James added he's never seen a sign that says no smoking. Signage is part of the smoking problem on the Common; there are very few signs, and half of them aren't even in the park.
They're on the fence facing Charles Street and others just have it at the bottom of a long list of park rules. The fine is $250, but Boston Police said they don't keep a record of enforcing it.
However, if the police were going to call out Joseph, he said he'll listen.
"I'll respect their wishes and put it out, but I would still probably smoke later on," said Joseph.
WBZ NewsRadio's Matt Shearer (@MattWBZ) Reports:
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(Photo: Getty Images)