(AP) SAN JOSE City officials decided not to support a proposal to completely ban smoking in San Jose city parks, saying such a move would discriminate against smokers.
The Parks and Recreation Commission voted 5-1 Wednesday to increase park director Sara Hensley’s authority to prohibit smoking at specific events and in specific parks, which still needs the city attorney’s approval.
“A park is for all people,” said Julie Mark, deputy director of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services. “We don’t want to legislate against or criminalize smokers.”
The City Council is slated to vote next month on a possible smoking ban. Eight other California cities, including San Francisco, have banned smoking in city parks.
