Strengthened public smoking bylaw one step from implementation
For nearly two years, the city has chiselled away at crafting a strengthened public smoking bylaw to bring the current legislation, dating back to 1993, in line with modern practices.
Monday night, these months of work and countless hours of public and stakeholder consultation came forward in the Smoking in Public Places Bylaw for final approval. While it failed to gain leave for third reading and many municipal lawmakers praised the provisions within the legislation, others want to take measures a step further.
Of note in the new bylaw are regulations regarding marijuana and vaping, restaurant patios and plans to establish a designated smoking area outside the Art Hauser Centre.
Restrictions for consuming cannabis upon legalization in public spaces, in line with federal and provincial law, have been included. Also included was expanding the buffer zone outside public facility entrances from three to nine metres, restricting smoking on restaurant, bar and lounge patios and entering into discussions to designate a smoking area outside the Art Hauser Centre or possibly implement a no re-entry policy. Cook Municipal Golf Course has been exempt from the restriction.