Vancouver’s parks and beaches now smoke-free

September 1 , 2010 (No. 40) - Starting today, Vancouver’s parks and beaches are smoke-free. A new bylaw is in effect that prohibits smoking year-round at all of the city’s parks, beaches, golf courses, sports fields, playgrounds, trails and other public park space.

"Vancouver is well-known as a healthy, clean and green city," said Park Board chair Aaron Jasper. "Smoke-free parks is a natural extension of that reputation."

The smoking ban was approved by the Park Board on April 19, 2010 on the basis of established medical evidence about the significant health dangers of smoking, the environmental and aesthetic impacts of cigarette litter, the risk of fire in our urban forests, the results of public consultation and the successful experience of other jurisdictions. The City of Vancouver Health By-law was amended on June 10, 2010 in order to support the new Park regulation.

This direction is supported by Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services as well as a number of agencies including Clean Air Coalition , Canadian Cancer Society (BC Yukon) and Vancouver Coastal Health .

Vancouver joins several municipalities in the Lower Mainland and throughout North America which have already taken such action to improve the experience in public parks. Smoking bans have proven effective in reducing exposure to second hand smoke, reducing smoking initiation and increasing smoking cessation.

Enforcement of the bylaw will be carried out by Park Rangers who have the authority to issue infraction tickets carrying a minimum fine of $250.00 to offenders.

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General enquiries: 3-1-1 (within Vancouver) or 604-873-7000 (outside Vancouver)

For more information contact Joyce Courtney, Manager of Communications,
at (t) 604-257-8699 or (c) 604-861-4375

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation maintains 220 parks and 40 major facilities throughout the City of Vancouver. The Park Board's mission is to provide, preserve and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit people, communities and the environment.