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Smokers may have grumbled when the new smokefree workplace law took effect on Jan. 1, but a study released Tuesday finds people aren't lighting up in Oregon bars and bowling alleys anymore.
Investigators from the Oregon Department of Human Services Tobacco Prevention and Education Program visited 147 bars and 16 bowling alleys around the state this summer and found most establishments in compliance with the state's indoor smoking law.
According to their report, the only observed violations of the indoor smoking ban were in so-called "outdoor" smoking structures erected by bars and taverns trying to skirt the law, which passed the 2007 Legislature and took effect at the start of this year.
State officials think about 5 percent of all bars throughout Oregon still allow smoking indoors because of these illegally enclosed smoking areas.
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Eugene resident Sally Krueger used to walk with her two children through the front door of the downtown public library.
But the smoking and cursing from people who congregate in front of the library prompted Krueger to change her route. She and her children now enter the building from the library's underground parking garage.
"I always have my kids with me, and it's the smoking and the language that I don't want to subject them to," said Krueger, an elementary school teacher.
But help is on the way for residents like Krueger, who have become uncomfortable with the behavior of people outside the library at West 10th Avenue and Olive Street.
City officials are proposing to completely ban smoking outside the entire library building, up to the curbs, early next year.
Connie Bennett says, because of complaints from visitors about people gathering in front of the library and smoking, she and other city staff members are asking the city council to ban smoking around city buildings. Especially those that provide services to children like the downtown Eugene Library. The proposed ordinance would move the smoking area from 25 feet from the door; add an additional 5 feet to the curb. Bennett says pushing the smoking zones to the curb, would make the rule easier to explain.
Alan Pape doesn't like going into smokers' apartments. But as the maintenance mechanic for the North Bend City/Coos-Curry Housing Authorities, it's part of the job.
"When you have to stand in them for two or three hours at times and breathe in second-hand smoke -- I know it's not good for me," Pape said.
By March, Pape won't have to worry about nicotine-stained walls or smelling like an ash tray at the end of the day.
The two boards of commissioners for the housing authorities adopted a no-indoor-smoking policy for the apartments and buildings they own. The Woodland Apartments Preservation Inc. and Powers Housing Development Inc. -- apartments managed by the housing authorities -- also passed the same policy. The agencies provide section 8 and low-income housing North Bend, Coos Bay, Myrtle Point, Coquille and Port Orford. Woodland and Powers have units in Empire and Powers. Ned Beman, the executive director of the Housing Authorities, said the policy will likely impact 475 residents. He estimated that about 21 percent smoke.
The policy bans smokers from lighting up inside units or other buildings owned by the agencies. Those who smoke will be allowed to -- but outside at least 10 feet from a neighbor's door. It goes into effect on March 1.
City of Eugene staff are asking the City Council to change the current smoking ordinance, which bans smoking within 25 feet of a door or window. They want the ban to include the areas around city buildings that provide services to children, like the library, Amazon Pool and Peterson Barn.
As of next week, Oregon's medical-marijuana patients will have two smoke-easies in Portland to medicate and socialize, the first such places in the country to open since the federal government indicated that it will no longer arrest or prosecute patients and suppliers.
On Nov. 13, the Cannabis Cafe will open on the first floor of 700 N.E. Dekum St., to be operated by the state's chapter of NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Executive Director Madeline Martinez said the space has been a dream of hers for years.
"We're pretty danged excited about it," Martinez said.
A multimillion-dollar award from Philip Morris to the estate of a Salem woman will hinge on a narrow legal point argued Monday in the Oregon Supreme Court.
At stake is a 2002 jury award of $150 million in punitive damages against the cigarette maker, later reduced by the trial judge to $100 million, and then reversed in 2006 by the Oregon Court of Appeals.
On a 5-4 vote, the appeals court upheld a verdict of fraud and negligence against Philip Morris, and an award of $169,000 in compensatory damages to the family of Michelle Schwarz, who died of lung cancer in 1999 at age 53.
Schwarz's family argued in Multnomah County Circuit Court that Philip Morris had fraudulently marketed its low-tar Merit brand, which Schwarz switched to in 1976, as safer than regular cigarettes.
But the appeals court ruled the jury should not have considered the harm to individuals outside Oregon in deciding the amount of punitive damages.
The appeals court ordered new proceedings in circuit court to determine only those damages, but the case was appealed to the Oregon Supreme Court.
A lawyer representing the Schwarz family, Maureen Leonard of Portland, said Monday that "more reprehensible conduct (by Philip Morris) justifies higher punitive damages."
The North Bend City and Coos-Curry Housing Authorities have adopted a no-smoking policy for the apartments and buildings they own.
Also, the Woodland Apartments Preservation and Powers Housing Development adopted a no-smoking policy earlier this month.
The no-smoking policy will go into effect March 1.
Residents will be allowed to smoke outside their units 10 feet from their neighbors' doors. They will not be allowed to smoke inside the units or other buildings owned by the agencies.
Jackson, 33, and her 5-year-old took the bus to and from campus last year. Many people smoked at the bus stop, and soon enough, she saw her own daughter puffing an imaginary cigarette.
"She sees everyone do it and thinks it's accepted," Jackson said.
The problem evaporated on Sept. 9 when tobacco products were banned from all PCC property. Boasting 40,566 students, PCC has the largest enrollment of any institute of higher education in the state.
At PCC Sylvania, students say the campus serving 26,700 harbored a significant smoking culture. But thanks to a three-year tobacco cessation plan that started in 2007, students and staff had plenty of warning about the incoming ban.
COOS BAY -- Smokers on Southwestern Oregon Community College's campuses may have nowhere to light up come fall 2011, if the college's board of education agrees with student recommendations.
Following a smoke-free survey provided online from Sept. 24 through Oct. 5, Associated Student Government President Cody Carlson is suggesting the school ban tobacco use by the 2011 fall term and that right now Southwestern require smokers to stay 30 feet from doors, windows and vents by 2010. State law requires a 10-foot separation. He also recommended the college offer a program to help people quit smoking and that campus security fine rule breakers.
"The survey takers were very for that," Carlson said.
Nearly 500 students, faculty, staff and community members responded to the survey, about 92 percent from the Coos Bay campus.
No butts about it, smokers will soon have to restrain their habit when visiting Hillsboro's parks.
The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve, on second reading, an ordinance to ban smoking and the use of any tobacco products within all city parks and recreational facilities. The new amendments to the Municipal Code apply not just to city-owned greenspaces and playgrounds, but also to all buildings, parking lots, playing fields, bleachers or other structures associated with the parks.
The ordinance takes effect Nov. 20 - 30 days after its passage and signing by Mayor Jerry Willey. Hillsboro will then join six other Oregon cities with similar complete bans on tobacco use on park property: Ashland, Bend, Corvallis, Newport, Sherwood and Grants Pass, according to the staff report provided by Parks and Recreation Management Analyst Ken Pipher. Nationwide, Pipher found almost 425 jurisdictions with similar bans. These include 97 in California and six in Washington state.
Smokers on Southwestern Oregon Community College's campuses may have nowhere to light up come fall 2011, if the college's board of education agrees with student recommendations.
The ordinance takes effect Nov. 20 -- 30 days after its passage and signing by Mayor Jerry Willey. Hillsboro will then join six other Oregon cities with similar complete bans on tobacco use on park property: Ashland, Bend, Corvallis, Newport, Sherwood and Grants Pass, according to the staff report provided by Parks and Recreation Management Analyst Ken Pipher. Nationwide, Pipher found almost 425 jurisdictions with similar bans. These include 97 in California and six in Washington state. Corinne Bloomfield, community resources manager for the parks department, said the focus, beginning now, will be on educating park users. This will continue beyond the ordinance's effective date.
People found smoking in Hillsboro's public parks will be fined $250, the city council decided Tuesday night.
In a quiet public meeting, the council voted to ban tobacco products in all city parks, including those owned by Metro but operated by the city. In the Metro area, only Sherwood has a ban as extensive. Nationwide, 425 municipalities prohibit smoking in parks.
No residents spoke in favor or opposition to the proposed measure, but city leaders said they received a few phone calls from both sides this week.
People are no longer allowed to smoke or use any type of tobacco at Hillsboro public parks.
The Hillsboro City Council voted Tuesday night to approve the anti-smoking ordinance.
Hillsboro joins at least six other Oregon cities that have banned smoking or tobacco from public parks.
Earlier this year, the council approved an ordinance banning smoking on all artificial turf in its parks. Officials said the decision was a matter of public health and safety; that smoking can cause fires and increase littering.