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Sechelt’s updated smoking bylaw passes second and third readings

Councillors in Sechelt have picked up where the previous council left off on updates to the municipality’s smoking bylaw. Before the election, the bylaw was given first reading only to give the public a chance to offer comments.
No Smoking

Councillors in Sechelt have picked up where the previous council left off on updates to the municipality’s smoking bylaw.

Before the election, the bylaw was given first reading only to give the public a chance to offer comments.

An earlier attempt to update the bylaw was abandoned in 2016, in part because the province brought in new legislation that encompassed many of the updates Sechelt had been considering, including a six-metre buffer around doors, air intakes and open windows at any public or private workplace.

Sechelt’s proposed smoking bylaw sets the buffer at 7.5 metres (25 feet), to match the bylaw in Gibsons, and includes “a broad definition for smoking which includes vapourizing devices and cannabis.”

Director of planning Tracy Corbett presented a report at Sechelt’s Nov. 21 council meeting and said the general smoking restrictions in the bylaw would apply to transit stops, customer service areas (such as sidewalk patios where food or beverages are served), outdoor public events, outdoor public spaces (except inside private vehicles) and “any place of public assembly.”

“What it doesn’t cover is sidewalks and roads, so although it might be under our jurisdiction the smoking bylaw doesn’t apply,” Corbett said.

Outdoor public events are any events taking place on district owned, controlled or operated property, which the general public is invited to attend.

The definition of outdoor public spaces includes: children’s playgrounds; playing fields and sports fields; arenas, skating rink or sports facilities; designated trails, pathways, parks and beaches; bike and skate parks; and any “deck, seating area, viewing area or other place used in association with a community recreation space.”

Corbett also said the boundaries for no-smoking areas on beaches vary depending on where in Sechelt they are and how much is public property.

“We do not control anything below the high, high water mark,” she said. “Davis Bay is the one area where we actually control most of the beach and the boardwalk area, so that would be an area restricted. In Trail Bay it’s the boulevard area, the pathway and the rock outcrops are designated [no smoking], but the beach itself is not.”
The Davis Bay Wharf and the pier at Friendship Park in Trail Bay are also included in the no-smoking areas.

Corbett’s report also says the district only received two responses to the draft bylaw. 

The Sechelt Downtown Business Association said it “believes in providing a healthy and safe environment where shoppers and visitors can enjoy the downtown without the risk of smoke inhalation of any kind” and that it welcomed efforts to curb the littering and potential fire risk that can come from carelessly discarded butts.

“Only one other comment from a member of the public was received which stated the need for enforcement on the trails to reduce the risk of fire,” the report said.

Councillors proposed only one significant amendment.

Coun. Alton Toth said he’d like to see some of the rules around signage clarified. As presented, the bylaw required permit holders for outdoor public events to be “responsible for displaying a sign on any advertisement or poster promoting the event or activity” that specifies it is a smoke-free event.

“I think that would be a little too onerous and all-encompassing,” Toth said. “Based on this wordage you’re talking about newspaper ads, radio plugs, banners that we have on the banner poles.”

The requirement will be changed to “displaying a sign at each event or activity” before the bylaw comes up for adoption in early December.

Because smoking bylaws involve public health issues, the Ministry of Health has to approve them. Vancouver Coastal Health’s tobacco reduction coordinator for the Sunshine Coast and the area’s medical health officer have already indicated support.