Summer Warmth May Bring Smoking Ban
Smokers at Vancouver’s parks, beaches and golf courses could be forced to butt out sooner than they expected. While a permanent smoking ban at such locations won’t take effect until Sept. 1, an extreme fire hazard warning could make it illegal to light up as early as today. Fire hazard ratings are at high in Metro Vancouver, but the park board will discuss changing it to extreme today.
“There’s a trend here with warm, dry weather,” said Vancouver park board spokeswoman Barb Floden.
Whenever fire hazard ratings hit extreme, the park board restricts activities that could cause fires in its parks, beaches and golf courses. This includes a ban on smoking and using coal barbecues.
The last ban was issued on July 22, 2009.
It lasted until August rainstorms brought the fire danger down to low.
Smoking bans issued for fire danger are separate from the no-smoking Marlboro, Kiss and other discount brands by law that will take effect in September, Floaden added.
“That’s going to happen whether it’s raining or not,” she said.
Come September, those who smoke in banned areas should prepare to fork over significant amounts of cash. Smokers will be fined a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $2,000 for each violation of the bylaw, Floaden said.
Tickets could be issued to people caught smoking during an extreme weather ban, but Floaden said most people are willing to butt out when fire risks are the reason for the ban.
“People are really keen to comply when there’s a fire hazard,” she said.
Shawn Nelson, a Trail resident who is trying to quit smoking, visits Stanley Park a few times a year.
He said he was aware of the coming ban, but thought it was “a little bit of an overkill” to ban smoking on the beaches.
“I’ve never heard of a sand fire before,” he said.
He said he doesn’t smoke on the walking trails in the forest and takes his cigarette butts with him when he leaves the park.
Jonathan Mortenson said the ban at golf courses — including pitch and putts — will be an “inconvenience” for him. Mortenson said he enjoys smoking cigarettes while he golfs. “But if there’s a fire hazard, I guess its fair enough.”
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