Pendleton bans smoking in parks for at least 2 years

PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) – The Pendleton City Council has banned smoking in parks for at least the next two years.
 
The East Oregonian reports the council amended an ordinance that bans tobacco at a skate park and expanded it to all 22 properties in the parks system.
 
Pendleton Parks and Recreation director Donnie Cook says the goal is to reduce litter from cigarette butts and protect children from tobacco.
 
The council passed the measure 6-2.
 
Councilor Neil Brown expressed concern that banning tobacco would lead to a slippery slope, where other unhealthy things – such as cheeseburgers – would become the target of a ban.