Then only foul smell you'll find around Iona Beach Regional Park these days is that of the sewage treatment plant.
After a new non-smoking Metro Vancouver policy kicked in Jan. 1, the park - on the northwest corner of Sea Island - is now smoke-free.
With long stretches of sandy shores, grassy beaches, marshes and panoramic views, the park is one of Richmond's most popular areas for residents and visitors.
However, with it being one of the city's more remote parks, policing the new anti-smoking rule will undoubtedly be a challenge.
Smoking is now prohibited in all Metro Vancouver regional parks to "protect park users from the health hazards of second-hand smoke," the regional body's press release stated.
The regional district's board of directors adopted the no smoking policy on Sept. 23, 2011, but the policy only came into effect on New Year's Day.
There's now a general ban on smoking in all 33 regional parks and greenways.
Smoking is allowed only in signed, designated smoking areas where there is little risk of second-hand smoke exposure to others, where litter attributed to smoking can be contained, and where there is no risk of fire caused by smoking.
For example, many regional parks will have designated smoking areas in entry parking lots.
Litter associated with smoking has a major impact. Cigarette butts are often eaten by birds and other wildlife, sometimes with fatal effects.
Regional parks staff are providing information about the new bylaw to smokers and asking them to comply. Enforcement of the bylaw will begin in February.
Smokers who violate the prohibition on smoking inside regional parks, and who are found to be smoking illegally outside of designated smoking zones, are subject to a fine of up to $75 for each infraction.
