After hearing from the public and long discussions, the Marshall County Health Department has voted to ban smoking in several outdoor public areas.

The Health Department's board unanimously approved its Clean Air Regulation for 2013.

County Health Department administrator Ronda Francis said starting April 1, outdoor public areas like parks, swimming pools and baseball fields will be smoke-free. There can be designated smoking areas at those places, but those areas must be approved by the Health Department.

Hotels and motels in the county will also not permitted to have smokers inside, either.

After a few weeks of public comment, on Friday morning the board heard from a few more people. Some who spoke at the hearings were against the ban, but most were for it.

Francis said the board needs time to implement the new regulations.

"We needed some time to do some public education and create a campaign to let people know that it is going into effect and when it will be into effect. The regulation is already posted at the county courthouse so it is on record there," Francis said.

If someone is caught violating the rule, they will be fined. In the past, business owners were fined. But, since the new rule applies to public areas, smokers themselves will be fined.