Some Lawrence residents say a state law that bans smoking within 10 feet of a public building's entrance is not being enforced by authorities.
Lawrence has a provision in its city smoking ordinance that directs the fire department to enforce a 2010 statewide smoking ban.
The fire department enforces the rule when it receives a complaint, but the city's fire chief says the department seldom receives them.
A Lawrence resident has started an online petition seeking to ban smoking on one of the city's most popular streets through downtown. It has nearly 200 signatures.
The city's mayor says he believes downtown businesses are trying their best to follow the Lawrence ordinance.