Proposed changes to smoking regulations in Richmond are now moving to public consultation stage.
The city staff proposed to increase the no-smoking buffer from six meters to nine in some public areas earlier this month. Currently, the city only prohibits smoking within six meters of these public areas.
The extended buffer would be effective in areas like an enclosed or partially enclosed transit or taxi shelters, transit signs or posts, customer service area, door, window, air intake or opening of any building.
If approved, the extended buffer would be effective in areas like an enclosed or partially enclosed transit or taxi shelters, transit signs or posts, customer service area, door, window, air intake or opening of any building. Currently, the city only prohibits smoking within six meters of these public areas.
Staff proposed to include cannabis, vapour products of all type and e-cigarettes to the definition of “smoke” or “smoking.”
The staff report aslo clarified the definition of public parks and school grounds to include greenways, trails, beaches, golf courses, playing fields and buildings for public recreational purposes such as swimming pools, arenas, recreation centres, piers and heritage sites.
Furthermore, staff mentioned that the current bylaw is not sufficient to provide the level of public health protection recommended by health authorities such as the Vancouver Coastal Health, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and the British Columbia Lung Association, .
The report requested funding of $25,000 for public education in the changes of smoking prohibitions.
No changes in fines are being proposed, however. Under current bylaw, $150 is fined for the first offence, $500 for the second offence and $1000 for the third or subsequent offence.
