Alexandria residents who plan to ignore the city's expanded smoking ordinance better be willing to be a little lighter in the wallet.

Reports state that anyone caught lighting up in a bar or within 25 feet of city property will be fined $100 for a first offense. The fines will increase to $250 for a second offense within a year and $500 for each additional offense.

The same fines will apply to business owners who allow smoking in their facilities.

Originally, however, the fines for smoking were much less.

The Alexandria City Council enacted the "City of Alexandria Smoke-free Air Ordinance of 2011" on Oct. 4, and it will go into effect on Jan. 2, 2012.

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