Portland considers smoking ban at city-owned golf courses

Published 12:42 pm Saturday, February 14, 2015

PORTLAND, Ore. — The city of Portland is considering a tobacco ban in public parks that would extend to its five golf courses.

The Oregonian reported such a ban would be unprecedented in Oregon. Other Oregon cities that have banned smoking in their parks have exempted golf courses.

Elsewhere in the U.S., cities including New York, San Francisco and Salt Lake City have instituted total bans at public parks that include golf courses.

To help with potential lost revenue, Portland’s proposed ordinance allows groups that rent city courses for tournaments to apply for a permit that would allow smoking.

A vote is scheduled for Wednesday, but might be delayed a week.