On Friday, Pendleton parks became tobacco-free zones.

The parks’ tobacco ban went into effect that day, meaning cigarettes and other forms of nicotine consumption are no longer allowed in those public spaces.

According to an FAQ published by the Pendleton Parks and Recreation, the ban includes cigarettes, e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. The ban applies to all parks property, meaning people can’t bypass the ban by smoking in their cars.

Other smokable substances, like marijuana or methamphetamine, will remain illegal to use in parks and other public spaces.

After a six-month “education period” ends on April 17, the city will begin enforcing the ban. Although the Pendleton Police Department will be able to cite people caught using tobacco in parks, the FAQ states “issuing citations is not the goal of the ordinance.” Citizens can report people using tobacco in parks to parks staff or the police, but those calls won’t take precedence over more immediate needs with law enforcement.

Tobacco is already banned in parks in Umatilla County and the city of Umatilla, in addition to 17 other cities and counties across the state.

Hermiston seems unlikely to follow suit any time soon. During the Hermiston City Council’s Sept. 25 meeting, councilor Jackie Myers reported to the council that the city’s parks and recreation committee had discussed the topic of a smoking ban in city parks and the committee did not plan on putting together anything for the council to consider.

“There wasn’t a whole lot of interest, and one that was extremely opposed to (a ban), so currently we don’t have any recommendation on that,” she said.

The rest of the council did not comment or express any disagreement with the committee’s lack of interest in pursing a ban.