Vancouver Park Board - Smoke-free Parks

Smoke Free Parks

FAQs

Updated: September 1, 2010

THE BYLAW

What is the Vancouver Park Board's smoking bylaw?

The Vancouver Park Board's smoke-free bylaw prohibits smoking in all parks, sports fields, playgrounds, beaches and public golf courses within the City of Vancouver. The bylaw is contained in the Park Board Smoking Regulation Bylaw . Smoking inside premises and outside buildings not located in a park are enforced through the Provincial Tobacco Control Act and Regulations and the City of Vancouver Health Bylaw No. 9535.

Who does the bylaw affect?

The bylaw applies to anyone who is in a park, sports field, beach or public golf course within the City of Vancouver. This includes residents, visitors, park user groups, staff, contractors and volunteers.

When does the bylaw take effect?

The smoke-free bylaw goes into effect September 1, 2010.

How is this bylaw being communicated to park users?

An educational phase began in early summer 2010 with temporary signage at key beach and park locations, website information, ads, through park partners and businesses (eg restaurants, gift shops, concessions, etc.), at community centres and other Park Board facilities and media outreach. Permanent signage will be installed beginning September 1, 2010.

Park user groups (eg sports clubs, special event organizers) are being notified of the ban through permit documentation..

BACKGROUND

Why is this bylaw in place?

Smoke-free parks is the result of research, public feedback and the Park Board's commitment to the promotion of a healthy urban environment and support for active living and wellness.

In addition the regulation addresses issues of fire safety and littering. Each fall the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup organizes beach and shore cleanups across Canada. In 2009 the Number One item found on beaches and shorelines was cigarette butts and filters, with 367,000 pieces collected.

The ban has the full support of numerous agencies, societies and coalitions including Canadian Cancer Society, the Clean Air Collation, the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and Vancouver Fire and Rescue.

Who do I contact if I have additional questions about the bylaw?

Questions or comments can be sent to pbcomment@vancouver.ca

BOUNDARIES

What area does the regulation include?

The bylaw defines all parks as smoke-free environments, including the following areas within parks:

sports fields, courts, ball diamond,
playgrounds,
beaches,
pathways, trails and seawall, and
public golf courses.

It also includes parking lots, green space, access streets and sidewalks that are contained within the boundaries of the park space.

The City of Vancouver Health Bylaws and Provincial Tobacco control Act and Regulations prohibit smoking:

in a building, structure or vehicle if it is a place the public is normally invited to,
in a workplace, and
within six metres of a doorway, window or air intake.

Can I smoke at a park restaurant or golf course clubhouse?

No. Smoking inside restaurants and on restaurant patios is prohibited through provincial legislation and the City of Vancouver Health By-law. The restaurant grounds and parking area that are part of a park, beach, playing field or golf course are now also smoke-free.

Are parking lots included in the ban?

Yes. All parking areas and garages that are within a park boundary are covered by the smoke-free bylaw. Smoking is not permitted in the parking areas outside community centres, rinks and other Park Board facilities located in parks. For a full list of parks see the By-Law, Schedule A.

Can I smoke in my own car?

Yes, so long as you are not in a parking area or roadway within a park boundary, and do not have any children in the vehicle.

Can I smoke in the water?

No, park boundaries include the foreshore area which includes the shallow areas along the shore. Water located outside the foreshore area ("off-shore") is not included in the ban.

Does the ban apply just to cigarettes?

No. "Smoke" or "smoking" is defined in the Health Bylaw as follows: "to inhale, exhale, burn, or carry a lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe, hookah pipe, or other lighted smoking equipment that burns tobacco or other weed or substance."

What are the rules at park caretaker residences?

Caretaker residences in parks are excluded from the ban as they are considered private property.

What about areas outside recreation facilities not located within park boundaries?

Facilities not located within a park fall under Health By-Law regulations that prohibit smoking within 6 metres of doors, windows and air intakes. This includes a number of free standing community centres (Britannia, Coal Harbour, Creekside, Mt. Pleasant, Ray-Cam, Roundhouse, Strathcona, Thunderbird and West End) and other buildings (Britannia and Lord Byng pools).

SIGNAGE AND COMMUNICATIONS

How will people know that there is no smoking in parks?

Signage indicating that Vancouver's parks and beaches are smoke-free will be posted in key locations. Due to the size of the Vancouver park system signs may not be in place at all parks right away.

The Vancouver Park Board website (vancouverparks.ca) will have information about the ban on all park, beach, sports field and other relevant pages.

Park partners such as restaurants, gift shops and other businesses located within park boundaries will be provided with display materials describing the smoking regulations.

ENFORCEMENT

How will this bylaw be enforced?

The Park Board's primary goal is voluntary compliance with the smoke-free bylaw through education. Sometimes, however, enforcement is necessary. Park Rangers, City of Vancouver bylaw enforcement officers and Health Inspectors all have the power to issue tickets to offenders.

The minimum fine for smoking in a park or other regulated outdoor space is $250.

What should I do if I see someone smoking in a park?

Park users, visitors and staff who see individuals smoking within park boundaries can inform them politely that a Vancouver bylaw prohibits smoking in public parks. Individuals who do not feel comfortable approaching someone violating the bylaw can report the violation by dialing 3-1-1 and reporting the incident.

QUESTIONS AND RESOURCES

Questions or comments can be sent to pbcomment@vancouver.ca

Additional information about smoking, its effect on people's health and the environment and assistance with quitting can be found at these websites: