KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Despite a smoking ban in Kansas City, Kan., firefighters are still allowed to smoke in fire station garages.

The provision has been in an agreement between the firefighters' union and the city and has been for years, trumping the city's smoking ban, according to the head of the union.

Some said firefighters should be allowed to smoke in fire stations because they spend so much time there. Others said it's a double standard.

"If we're not allowed to smoke out here, then they shouldn't be allowed to smoke inside of their buildings, even though it's sort of like their home," said Albert Mitchner, a Kansas City, Kan., resident.

Cherri Hill, another resident of the city, disagreed.

"I think that's fair since they live there, but I think other government places should also take into consideration that there are employees that smoke," Hill said.

The union leader said the exemption really didn't matter much anymore because not too many of the city's firefighters still smoke.