Penticton city council moves to implement complete smoking ban in one year

PENTICTON – Penticton city council gave notice to smokers this week, agreeing to push forward by two years plans for a complete ban on smoking in public places.

City planning manager Blake Laven asked council for approval of the city’s amended smoking regulation after upgrading it with legislation regarding cannabis and vaping at the Tuesday, Jan. 22 regular council meeting.

Laven was also looking for direction to begin public education and information regarding a complete smoking ban by Jan. 1, 2022 as recommended by Interior Health.

He said the city’s recent consultation with citizens regarding cannabis use fell short of giving staff license to fully ban or significantly alter smoking bylaws. He asked council to support the proposed full smoking ban by January, 2022 in order to give smokers a chance to get used the law, effectively “putting the community on notice” of a more complete ban coming their way.

During the three-year period the city would also mount an advertising and education campaign regarding the coming changes. Laven said 34 municipalities in B.C. already had a complete smoking ban in place.

Coun. Judy Sentes said she would like to see the complete ban implemented sooner, a sentiment echoed by Coun. Campbell Watt and Coun. Katy Robinson.

Laven said during cannabis consultations, staff did not hear changes to smoking bylaws to be a big issue in the community, which they felt justified the lengthy time period over which to implement the complete ban.

Council voted unanimously in favour of an amended motion that would see the complete smoking ban implemented in a year’s time.

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