Smoking rules continue to tighten in New West

Restaurant patios are no longer a refuge for smokers in New Westminster after a new bylaw took effect New Years Day.

The bylaw is the result of Fraser Health asking municipalities to beef up their regulations. It prohibits smoking within 7.5 metres of doors, windows and air intakes of public and workplace buildings; restaurant and pub patios; and within 15 metres of outdoor sports facilities, playgrounds, off-leash parks and picnic areas within city parks. Building owners and businesses are required to put up signs to make smokers aware of the new regulations.

But dont look for the heavy hand of big brother to come down hard. At least not initially.

The new regulations bring New Westminster in line with many municipalities in Metro Vancouver although the bylaws between cities arent always identical.

Fraser Health spokesman Ken Donohue said the first step in enforcing the new regulations will be education.

Weve found thats the best approach, said Donohue.

He added the regional health authoritys environmental health officers will work in collaboration with city bylaw enforcement officials. If a ticket needs to be issued it will be done by the city, he said.

Donohue admitted enforcing the regulations will be a challenge, even for the health authority since many hospital workers and patients are frequently seen smoking just outside of hospital entrances.

Thats the challenge with a lot of these smoking bylaws, said Donohue. Even where our offices are located in Central City (in Surrey) youre not supposed to smoke, there are signs all over the place. Youve always got people who will light up by the door Its a huge issue and its not an easy one to stamp out and its definitely there.

Although the Paddlewheeler Pub at the River Market had a popular patio for smokers, an employee said the new regulations wont likely affect their business. Brooke Mitchell said the smokers will likely still patronize the restaurant and just adjust where they go to smoke. She pointed out since no one else is allowed to have a smoking patio they wont have any other place to go.

Read the original:
Smoking rules continue to tighten in New West