Post by Rick (Admin) on Apr 30, 2013 20:06:49 GMT -5
City of North Bay adopts outdoor smoking ban
There will be no more smoking at city parks, beaches, playgrounds, sports fields and trails.
City politicians backed strict new smoking regulations Monday, making it off limits to light up in virtually any outdoor public place other than streets and sidewalks.
The new rules, which take effect June 1, were approved in a 7-4 recorded vote which saw councillors Chris Mayne, Mike Anthony, Sarah Campbell and, surprisingly, Daryl Vaillancourt vote in opposition of the widespread ban.
Vaillancourt, also chairman of the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, has been a staunch advocate for tougher laws against smoking and is responsible for pushing council to also consider banning smoking at outdoor patios.
His vote in opposition to the new smoking restrictions was based on an amendment that will allow those hosting special events at city-owned public places to apply to have a designated smoking area.
“To me, this is the kind of bylaw that needs to black and white,” said Vaillancourt, who wasn't willing to support exemptions that would allow for smoking.
But others who opposed the outdoor ban raised questions about its purpose and effectiveness, pointing to a number of contradictions stemming from the city's inability to regulate smoking on streets and sidewalks.
Coun. Chris Mayne, for example, noted that under the new restrictions people on Main Street would be permitted to light up on the sidewalk, forcing pedestrians and shoppers to walk through clouds of smoke.
But he said the same restrictions would make it illegal for those smokers to go to the nearby “empty” parkette in order to light up away from pedestrians and shoppers.
Mayne said it makes sense to prohibit smoking anywhere that's in close proximity of children such as playgrounds and sports fields. But he said what's proposed is too broad-based.
“The inconvenient truth in North Bay is that people do smoke,” said Mayne, suggesting the strict new rules are an attempt at legislating morality.
Councillors Campbell and Anthony both voiced frustration and questioned why the issued isn't being dealt with by more senior levels government.
Anthony suggested the province is again side stepping the smoking issue by leaving it to municipalities to deal with.
“I want to say to the Government of Ontario – if you want a smoke-free Ontario, you make it illegal,” said Campbell, suggesting there remains too many potential problems associated with the restrictions, including enforcement. “I'm not comfortable with the whole thing.”
The outdoor ban has been in the works since 2011, shortly after city politicians opted to ban smoking at the Steve Omischl Sports Complex.
Council directed staff at that time to work with the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit to examine the possibility of extending similar smoking restrictions to other outdoor public places, as well as a possible ban at outdoor patios.
The health unit has pointed to carcinogens found in cigarette smoke and the health risks associated with second-hand smoking even outdoors. The health units says smoking is a leading cause of death, killing more Canadians than car accidents, suicides, drug abuse, murder and AIDS combined. And health unit staff have said tougher restrictions would make it more difficult for people to smoke and encourage quitting.
Coun. Dave Mendicino, chairman of community services, said there's been no issues with the city's smoking ban at the Steve Omischl Sports Complex. And he suggested the new restrictions are simply an extension of what's already been done there.
With smoking permitted on streets and sidewalks, Mendicino suggested there's a place to light up within 60 seconds of any of the city's parks, beaches, playgrounds, sports fields and trails.
Also on Monday, council adopted a motion tabled by Vaillancourt that instead of a hosting a public meeting, the city will ask the health unit and the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce to work together to consult with businesses and the public and to present recommendations on the proposed patio ban.
www.nugget.ca/2013/04/30/city-adopts-outdoor-smoking-ban