The City of Nanaimo Updates Smoking Bylaw

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed March 6, 2019 10:00 AM

A new City of Nanaimo bylaw pertaining to smoking was adopted on February 25, 2019. The Smoking Regulations Bylaw aligns with the already established requirements of the Province, where regulations prohibit smoking within six metres of any public doorway, window, air intake or transit stop. In addition, the bylaw includes improved definitions for smoking, vaping, cannabis and vapour products.

The bylaw clarifies that smoking and/or vaping is not permitted on any City-owned property, unless within an established smoking area. Smoking or vaping cannabis, however, is not permitted even in a designated smoking area. This prohibition pertains to all municipal buildings, parks, trails, playgrounds, playfields, dog parks and beaches.

"The bylaw provides consistency will the rules already established by the Province," says Heidi Davidson, Manager, Permit Centre and Business Licensing. "The previous bylaw established in 1987 was very dated, so having a more up-to-date version that addresses current issues such as cannabis is a definite improvement."

The staff report as well as the bylaw can be viewed on the City of Nanaimo's website at www.nanaimo.ca.

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