Is Vancouver’s smoking bylaw working?
Posted August 29, 2011 6:53 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Smokers haven’t been allowed to light up in Vancouver’s public spaces, including beaches, for almost one year now. But is the bylaw actually working?
One man we chatted with who had been hanging out at the beach throughout the weekend is aware of the bylaw and appreciates the $250 fine if you get caught lighting up.
Despite the hefty price tag, he still sees people smoking on the sand. “Absolutely I do. I would support stricter enforcement of it. I don’t think smoking is a right.”
Others agree with the bylaw but they’re not convinced it’s deterring smokers. “If the movement goes in the direction of you’re a litterer and this is illegal, rather than smoking which is their choice. But take your butt with you,” says one woman who can’t stand the garbage left behind by smokers.
Vancouver Park Board Chair Aaron Jasper tells the 24 Hours newspaper that they’ve issued just 25 tickets since the bylaw was introduced last year. Jasper explains it was never meant as a cash-grab and was always about public health.
