The City is looking to ban smoking in public spaces such as parks and roads, with the exception of tobacco in designated areas.
With marijuana becoming legalized in the summer, the City is discussing revisions to their current smoking bylaws to include new cannabis regulations. Mayor Gerald Aalbers says that they are trying to educate residents on what spaces can be used for smoking and which ones can’t.
“With the cannabis legislation coming forward tied to the smoking that will make it much more evident for people that were hoping that we’ll be able to enjoy cannabis where ever, the smoking bylaw will apply to them as well.”
The proposed changes include, banning smoking and vaping in public spaces such as Bud Miller Park, as well as five meters of a doorway that accesses a public space. City Councillor Michael Diachuk says that there are some other things that are more concerning than smoking that should also be looked at such as alcohol.
“When we talk about people who are under the influence of cannabis, we tend to see them parked at 7 Eleven, whereas people under the influence of alcohol are blazing trails down the road speeding.”
The City will revisit the bylaw in future Council meetings.
