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March 31 , 2008
New smoking restrictions go into effectNew smoking restrictions in the City of Vancouver go into effect today that will limit smoking on restaurant and bar patios and near the entryways of any building. Under the new by-laws, smoking is prohibited:
These by-laws are in addition to new provincial restrictions, which also go into effect today. The new provincial regulations restrict the promotion and sale of tobacco products, as well as introduce a ban on smoking in all indoor public spaces and workplaces. In other municipalities, smoking is prohibited within three metres of public and workplace doorways, open windows or air intakes. The provincial restrictions are intended to establish a baseline of regulation that landlords, businesses, municipalities and health authorities can choose to exceed to fit the needs of their community, clients and population. The City of Vancouver, on the recommendation of Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), is putting more stringent health by-laws into effect. “We are pleased that the City of Vancouver is taking a leadership role in efforts to reduce tobacco use and protect its citizens from the deadly effects of second-hand smoke. We are encouraging other municipalities within our jurisdiction to adopt these same by-laws,” said Domenic Losito, regional director of Environmental Health for VCH. Business owners are not expected to police public property but are required to post signage and otherwise discourage smoking in the six-metre buffer zone. The City of Vancouver will be focusing its enforcement efforts on commercial establishments that are not in compliance with the by-law. More information is available at www.vch.ca/environmental/tobacco. Media enquiries:
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© 2008, City of Vancouver |
