New smoking ban kicks in
Posted September 1, 2010 12:01 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – From the golf course to the playground, Vancouver’s smoking ban officially kicks in today. Light up at any park, or beach and you can expect a lot more than just a dirty look from the neighbouring log.
A first time offender can expect a minimum $250 fine. If you get caught again, the penalty gets a lot steeper up to $2,000.
Some people we spoke with said it was one more step in making our parks safer and helping children avoid being around second-hand smoke.
Even with the ban in effect, Park Board Commissioner Aaron Jasper insists this is not an excuse to punish smokers or to single them out.
He says it is all about public health. “We’re not telling people they should quit, if they want to smoke that’s their business. But, their smoking habit should not impact the health of their neighbour or their friends sitting down at the beach with them.”
Jasper is confident most people will comply with the new by-law. By the end of the year he says Park Rangers will be able to issue tickets on any by-law relating to a park or beach. That includes either smoking or off-leash dogs in the area.
The Park Board approved the ban in April over health and fire concerns.
