While the primary topic of the meeting was the creation of an urban tree commission, the Salem Oregon also passed a ban on smoking in city parks.
According to published reports, Councilman Daniel Benjamin spoke out against the ban, stating that the culture of smoking has changed where has witnessed those lighting up to move downwind and way from children when choose to light up.
Despite this the measure passed, with smoking now illegal in city parks which turns out to be a small victory for smokers as the ban originally called for a ban on all city-owned property and trails.
