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Banff's smoke-free bylaw passes first reading

“Not surprisingly, those who smoke tend to want more public options to do so, and those who don’t smoke would like to see less options available.”
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Banff is closer to banning smoking in more public places. JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO

BANFF – The Town of Banff is one step closer to approving tougher local legislation on smoking or vaping tobacco in public.

At a meeting on Monday (Sept. 12), council passed first reading of a what is dubbed a gold standard bylaw by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), a leading tobacco control organization that lobbies to reduce and prevent tobacco use in Alberta and beyond.

If passed, Banff’s bylaw would restrict smoking or vaping in municipal park, green spaces, trails and pathways, outdoor markets and events, bus stops, public sidewalks, pedestrian zones, and smoking in proximity to children not in one’s custody or care – which goes beyond provincial legislation.

Alison Gerrits, the director of community services for the Town of Banff, said an exemption section has been added that would allow for the ceremonial use of tobacco provided it is performed in relation to a traditional indigenous activity or purpose.

“In essence, the smoking or vaping of tobacco in Banff would predominantly be limited to surface parking lots and alleys – so long as the activity is within the permitted distance requirements of five metres from sidewalks, trails, and open doorways or windows – and private property,” she said.

Council postponed consideration of second and third readings of the smoke-free bylaw pending further resident and business feedback. The long-awaited bylaw will be brought back for a vote before the end of the year.

The proposed fines for contravening the proposed bylaw would range from $250 to $500.

Mayor Corrie DiManno said she was happy to postpone a decision to give residents another chance at input, particularly given it is a busy time of year in Banff.

“That being said, I think we can move this conversation along this year, hopefully,” she said, noting council has discussed the proposal at least three times now and there was an extensive public survey on the issue.

Councillor Hugh Pettigrew said he was concerned the bylaw, if passed, would not be as enforceable as hoped, given the hours the bylaw department works.

“Maybe we need to involve Bylaw working later at night,” he said.

“It’s obvious smoking is not the best habit and it’s not healthy, however I am really glad to hear we'll give the bylaw some thoughts and community discussion.”

A public smoking survey, which was conducted in Banff between October 2019 and February 2020 to seek opinions on tobacco and cannabis smoking and vaping regulations, was completed by 508 people – 44 per cent of whom smoked or vaped.

The survey results were divisive, but there was some consensus among smokers and non-smokers in terms of areas where the smoking of tobacco should be prohibited, and included locations such as playgrounds and outdoor skating rinks.

However, other areas saw a large disparity of opinion such as in the recreation grounds picnic areas where 69 per cent of non-smokers felt smoking should be banned in this location, as compared to only 17 to 30 per cent of smokers or vapers who felt the same way.  As another example, 73 per cent of non-smokers felt smoking should be banned at the skatepark, while only 28-35 per cent of smokers felt this should be the case.

“There was a significant difference of opinion with respect to public smoking options overall,” said Gerrits.

“Not surprisingly, those who smoke tend to want more public options to do so, and those who don’t smoke would like to see less options available.”

Gerrits said organizations such as ASH and Alberta Health Services, which both addressed Banff council over the past few years on this issue, align with the non-smoker perspective.

“Both have mandates to reduce and prevent smoking for health advocacy reasons and to reduce the normalization of smoking activity in the public realm, especially for children and youth,” she said.

 

 

 

 

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