Ashland, Ore., — People who smoke in downtown Ashland won’t be able to light up. The city council a just approved smoking ban tonight.
The ban will stop people from smoking in the entire downtown area from Church Street to Gresham Street.
It will also keep people from smoking within 10 feet of public sidewalks.
And citizens who smoke, aren’t happy about it.
“I think it’s unfair to those who smoke cautiously and courteously to others.” said Robbie Armstrong.
Paul Peterson says, “No the freedoms, we’re losing too many freedoms. If you want to smoke you should be able to smoke.”
Even city council member Carol Voisin believes it will be hard to control.
“The other issue is how are we going to enforce it? I’m worried that we’re having our police do far more policing on behavior, than on real hardcore crimes that we do have in Ashland.”
The ban will take effect on June 3rd and the penalty would be a $135 dollar fine.
Also passed is a ban that prohibits people from blocking sidewalks to solicit or pan handle.
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