Regina city council passes new smoking bylaw

City council in Regina has unanimously approved a new smoking and vaping bylaw.

On Monday night, council voted in favour of banning smoking and vaping at all city-owned spaces, at all times.

The bylaw applies to all city property used by the public, including parks and golf courses. It bans smoking whether there is an event taking place or not.

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People will also not be able to smoke in outdoor seating areas at bars and restaurants or within 10 metres of doors and windows of public buildings.

Under previous regulations atboth the municipal and provincial level such as The Tobacco Control Act, smoking was already banned enclosed public spaces,indoors and in areas such as vehicles with children under the age of 16 present.

LGBTexception denied

The Gay and Lesbian Community of Regina hadasked for an exemption to the proposed patio smoking ban, citing safety concerns in a letter to city council.

The proposed exemption for Q Nightclub and Lounge was turned down by councillors, who said exceptions are a slippery slope.

The new bylaw does have two exemptions in place for use in traditional Indigenous ceremonies andvapingretail stores.

"The Gay & Lesbian Community of Regina would like to thank the City of Regina for hearing our concerns and opening the dialog, however, we are upset that they would not entertain the option of exempting our establishment," wrote the GLCR in a post on Facebook Monday night.

While the GLCR exception was not passed, Regina Mayor Michael Fougere proposed a review of the environment around the GLCR building to enhance safety for members of the organization through lighting, police and other methods. City administration agreed to handle the topic.

The new bylaw will go into effect on July 15.