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Oregon state parks consider ban on outdoor smoking

In this Oct. 4, 2012 photo, Douglas Hardman offers a visitor a cigarette outside the tent in which he lives in Lakewood N.J. He is one of 16 residents of the Tent City homeless encampment who have told their stories to a judge who will decide the camp's fate. Lakewood officials want it shut down and the residents evicted. (Wayne Parry / Associated Press)
By Rich Landers richl@spokesman.com(509) 459-5508

PARKS — The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is holding four meetings this week for the public to comment on plans to ban outdoor smoking at state parks.

The Statesman Journal reports the proposed ban would stop smoking on hiking trails, picnic areas, waysides and common areas of state campgrounds. People could still smoke in their cars, RVs or tents.
Violators would face fines between $60 and $110.
The parks commission will take up the rule at its February meeting. The ban wouldn’t take effect until 2015.
Smoking is already banned in parks in 56 cities and counties across Oregon.

* This story was originally published as a post from the blog "Outdoors Blog." Read all stories from this blog