Smoking ban floated for Vancouver parks, beaches

The Vancouver Park Board is considering banning smoking at beaches, parks and playgrounds after receiving overwhelming support for some sort of ban in a recent online survey.

Park board commissioner Raj Hundal said a total ban is just one of the options up for discussion at a board meeting on April 19.

"I think the public is demanding we look at the issue. Whether that be an outright ban to a modified version of the ban, we owe it to the public to at least examine the issue and make a decision from there," he said.

More than 600 people responded to an online survey late last year, with the overwhelming majority favouring some sort of restriction on smoking in parks and beaches, said Hundal.

"I think the numbers were beyond 90 per cent in favour of some sort of smoking regulation," he said.

The idea was also proposed by the Vancouver Coastal Health authority in July 2008. Butthere are a range of opinions on the idea, Hundal noted.

"I have received numerous emails on this issue, both in support of [a ban], to people who want a mixed approach, to individuals who don't want a ban at all," he said.

"I do have friends who smoke. I don't smoke, but I think at the end of the day, a smoker has a right to smoke, but it's a problem when they infringe upon someone else's right to enjoy the area as well," said Hundal.

Neighbouring municipalities like North Vancouver, White Rock and West Vancouver already have some sort of restrictions on smoking at public parks and beaches, he noted.

If the board votes to ban smoking, it will then be up to Vancouver City Council to amend existing health bylaws for enforcement, he said.

Smoking is already banned in all public buildings, bus sheltersand near open windows and entrances in B.C.