Vancouver City Council stubs out smoking in city parks
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VANCOUVER, Wash. - Beginning in early January of next year, people won't be allowed to smoke in Vancouver city parks.
The Vancouver City Council voted unanimously Monday evening to ban all tobacco products in parks. The ban goes into effect in 30 days.
It is part of the city's first parks code update in 40 years. The new code also bans open containers of alcohol with some exceptions, including the wine and jazz festival held every year at Esther Short Park.
Violators may be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by 90 days in jail or up to a $1,000 fine.
Portland already has smoking bans in place in two downtown parks including Director's Park and Pioneer Courthouse Square.
Read more from our news partners at The Columbian.
