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Discussion on further restrictions on tobacco smoking in Banff on hold

The Town of Banff is holding off on tougher restrictions for smoking tobacco in public pending the review of proposed provincial government legislation
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A survey by the Town of Banff last fall on tobacco smoking found that A large majority of respondents (79 per cent) felt public events such as farmers markets, festivals and concerts should be allowed to have designated areas where smoking tobacco is allowed.  RMO FILE PHOTO

BANFF – A proposal to look at tighter regulations on public tobacco smoking in the tourist town hasn’t gone up in smoke – but the Town of Banff is waiting on upcoming provincial legislation.

The Alberta government is reviewing the province’s existing Tobacco and Smoking Reduction Act, which is expected to return to the legislature this fall for debate and adoption. 

Town of Banff administrators advised council to hold off on any decisions, saying that further restrictions on tobacco smoking rules within Banff may not be needed if council decides that any new provincial legislation ends up being sufficient.

“Our advice is to wait for us to consider changing our own Banff smoking bylaw because it could be redundant,” said Alison Gerrits, the Town of Banff’s community services director, during a governance and finance committee meeting on Monday (June 22).

With the current backlog of work due to the three-month COVID-19 shutdown, and given the pending provincial legislation, council decided to put off further conversation until likely 2021.

“With the province doing work and all the other things we’re doing because of COVID, I think we should wait until the province comes out with their report,” said Councillor Chip Olver.

A public online survey, which touched on both smoking and vaping of tobacco and cannabis, opened on Oct. 17, 2019 to coincide with the one-year anniversary of cannabis legalization in Canada. 

Of the 508 respondents to the Banff survey, 56 per cent indicated they did not currently smoke or vape, while 44 per cent did. According to the most recent public health data available, the percentage of the population that smokes tobacco in this Region's health zone is 11.7 per cent.

Many areas where tobacco is currently allowed to be smoked – as per the provincial legislation – were identified as areas where the majority of respondents felt further restrictions should be put in place in Banff.

Gerrits said they included outdoor skating rinks at 61 per cent, playgrounds at 83 per cent, transit stops at 75 per cent, outdoor markets at 67 per cent and at sports fields at 63 per cent.

“Playgrounds was No. 1 and transit stops was No. 2 and those are areas where the majority of respondents, including some smokers, feel we should not allow tobacco smoking to occur,” she said. 

“The two areas where individuals felt we should allow tobacco smoking to continue happening was Central Park and the trails, but you’ll see the non-smoker agreement with that is lower. Only a third of non-smokers agree with that, but a very high majority of smokers felt that that should be allowed.” 

A slight majority (58 per cent) believed tobacco smoking should also be restricted at outdoor events and concerts, on sidewalks (57 per cent), at the skate park (56 per cent), at picnic areas at the recreation grounds (52 per cent).

A large majority of respondents (79 per cent) felt public events such as markets, festivals and concerts should be allowed to have designated areas where smoking tobacco is allowed. 

“This is a topic where both smokers and non-smokers were in agreement,” said Gerrits, noting 91 per cent of cannabis smokers agreed, 93 per cent of tobacco smokers agreed, 97 per cent of vapers agreed and 69 per cent of non-smokers agreed.

Mayor Karen Sorensen said the municipality will have to fall into line with whatever the province says regardless, but based on that legislation, Banff can then look to discuss further restrictions if needed.

“I think all of council have received some comments that we should be looking at tobacco smoke as well, although not lately,” she said.

“I do think this is something that makes perfect sense to see what the province does and then definitely open up this conversation again.”

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