Nashville Zoo to ban smoking

Animals at the Nashville Zoo are starting 2006 smoke-free, and so will any cigarette pack-toting patrons.

After two years of attempting to limit smoking to designated areas, leadership of the zoo announced Thursday that smoking will be prohibited entirely beginning Jan. 1.

Enough citizens raised concern that the issue was brought to the board in November, according to zoo spokesman Jim Bartoo.

Board members voted unanimously in favor of the new restriction.