PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Though Portland’s citywide parks smoking ban has yet to begin, Commissioner Amanda Fritz already wants to change the consequences for would-be offenders.
The Oregonian reports (https://bit.ly/1J0PXDz ) that the ban will include e-cigarettes and nicotine vaporizers, chewing tobacco, snuff - tobacco in any form and is set to begin July 1. Fritz is set to propose several amendments Wednesday that would remove the possibility of a misdemeanor fine or park exclusion.
Fritz is proposing an amendment that instead only requires smokers to leave the park for the rest of the day. Enforcement would fall on park rangers, not police.
Parks officials budgeted $9,500 for signs and decals in city parks on the new rules. According to a bureau spokesman, the city will start installing them in July.
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Information from: The Oregonian, https://www.oregonlive.com
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