smoking bylaws

[Chantelle Browning]

im doing a project in English and i would like to know what you all think about smoking bylaws. do you think that they are nessesary or do you think that people should be able to smoke if they want. why or why not

[lord_rupert]

As a reformed smoker allow me to be the first to take the stage to present my views on this issue.

My present state of mind is that I don't really mind if people smoke in front of me as long as they ask permission first and don't blow it in my face. I however realise that not everybody feels this way and that not all smokers are as courteous as the gentlemen I hang around with. In which case why should they not have the choice about what toxins enter their body passively particularly if they are working in that atmosphere. Smoking can have serious effects and if bye-laws are required to make smoking less socially acceptable than so be it.

When I smoked, the last time was about three months ago I used to get really angry that people would try and infringe my civil liberties by potentially preventing me smoking in a bar or such like. Why should I not be able to? If they didn't like they didn't have to stay. I did try and be courteous by asking if I could light up first, never blowing smoke towards people and never talking with a ciggie hanging out my mouth.
Since quitting I have realised just how vile it can be to be in an atmosphere with smoke, in additon to health effects your hair and clothes reek, something I was not really sensitive to as a smoker.

ROO :D

[Brookay]

I agree with not being able to smoke indoors in public areas. What I dont agree with are people who stand right outside the door to a building and smoke there, the smoke still enters the building and bothers people indoors. As for clubs and restuarants, sit outside if you need to smoke and eat, and go to clubs that have designated smoking areas and dont complain, If you need to smoke when your out, think about it first or dont at all.

[condor888000]

The problem with sitting outside is that it often gets rather cold out there in the winter. Overall they work. Ottawa has been smoke free for a while now and nothing has really changed. By which I mean most bars are open, No collaspe of the industry like some were predicting. It's a good law that works. Why shouldn't it be in effect?

[Agnew]

I think it should be up to the business owner, wether or not to allow smoking in their buildings. Such as bars. You're drinking alcohol, why the hell is cigarette smoke gonna bother you? If you don't want to be inhaling toxins, than go somewhere else. Go drink at home. It's cheaper and safer.

Most restaurants have smoking sections now. I don't know many restaurants that don't, except for the truck stop, in which you can smoke anywhere. Probably because 98.5% of customers are truckers and 95% of them smoke. Big parking lot, too...:o

[Lance]

In Kentville (about half an hour from my town), you can only smoke in your house. Its rediculous. Theyve taken the smoking bylaws to the extreme. I dont mind going outside a store to have a smoke, if I feel the urge. But I can deal with it. I try to stay 15m from the entrance, unless its pouring rain out or something (usually I dont even go outside if its pouring out). But I think its well within peoples rights to ask that people do not smoke in restuarants and stuff like that, I respect it.

[Ching]

I figure, anything that encourages people to quit smoking, or, at least, makes it inconvenient, is good.
Smoking smells bad, tastes bad, and makes lungs ucky.
so, it should be restricted further.

[Kass]

I want to see the day when there are laws about smoking around underage people. I think its disguistinghow parents can smoke around their children, especially really young ones who can't get up and walk away.

[condor888000]

I think it should be up to the business owner, wether or not to allow smoking in their buildings. Such as bars. You're drinking alcohol, why the hell is cigarette smoke gonna bother you? If you don't want to be inhaling toxins, than go somewhere else. Go drink at home. It's cheaper and safer.

Most restaurants have smoking sections now. I don't know many restaurants that don't, except for the truck stop, in which you can smoke anywhere. Probably because 98.5% of customers are truckers and 95% of them smoke. Big parking lot, too...:o

The problem with smoking sections is that the smke doesn't stay in the smoking section. It tends to go all over the place.

[The Blue Tory]

Why should we the public be submitted to second hand smoke...

We don't go to bars to die, or inhale toxins we go to have fun

What should also be illegal is smoking and driving... If someone can't concentrate talking on a cell, then how do they concentrate with something lit in their hand... not to mention killing each and every person in the car slowly... and not to mention the litter from those who throw butts on the street...

[canoe instructor]

hey from Kingston....we've become completely smoke free in ktwon....no smoking in private clubs, legions, and on patios (the patios one drives me nuts..but we'll get to that one in a moment) ktown is completely smoke free except in the bingo halls...because the bingo halls bring in $$$..and we dont wanna loose any $$$$ :confused:
now i am very thrilled that we've become smoke free its wonderful to go to a restaurant or club and not get treated to some ever so wonderful second hand smoke, toxins or coming home reaking like an ash tray..that i am forever thankful...
but the patio issue..that really doesn't make any sense to me..in order to lit up you have to walk around the patio fence, railing so your on the side walk...still chatting with your friends who are on the restaurant side and than you smoke...the biggest issue to me (not like the patio issue isn't crazy) people are now dropping their cig butts onto the sidewalk and street (because the restaurants aren't required to have butt cans..not their property) as an environmental student (a hardcore one) it makes me so mad. to see the gash..and not to mention ktown looks like crap now......please feel free to correct me if im wrong...but does the smoke free outdoor patio's make much sence to anyone else???
but again i am so happy to have kingston smoke free...loving the fresh air

Cheers
CI Harris
ORCA Flatwater Instructor/ Canoe Tripper I
HMCS Ontario Athletics Staff 2003 and 2004

[jgoguen]

I want to see the day when there are laws about smoking around underage people. I think its disguistinghow parents can smoke around their children, especially really young ones who can't get up and walk away.
I agree with you there...poor kids :(

Over on UNB Fredericton Campus, there's a rule that there's no smoking within a 10 meter radius of any building door, open window, or air intake. And there's a strong possibility that if it goes well over the summer, the campus will be smoke-free by the time students get back to residence. Funny thing though...they forgot to mention to the students, especially residence students, that there might not be smoking allowed on campus anywhere next fall ;) That combined with a city bylaw that says no smoking in any public place means they don't get to smoke unless they go to private property they have permission to smoke on ;)

[RatherBeFlyin]

I think it's really stupid that legally you have to be 19 years of age to purchase tobacco products, but you can smoke at age 16 legally. Really weird...

[Jiggy]

I quit smoking exactly 19 days ago.....minus one I shard with someone when I was at the bar.....either way this is the longest I have gone since I started smoking at age 13...YAY FOR ME!
either way I dont mind the patio idea, I have never been a supporter for smoking inside....

[jgoguen]

I think it's really stupid that legally you have to be 19 years of age to purchase tobacco products, but you can smoke at age 16 legally. Really weird... Well get this...it's illegal to buy for minors, I think to give smokes to minors too, it's illegal for minors to buy for themselves, but minors aged 16 or above can have and use smokes. Well how did they get them in the first place;) So it's safe to say if a minor is caught smoking, someone should be getting in some trouble somewhere ;)

[Kat]

I think that in places like clubs, bars and resteraunts...that smoking should be left up to the owner's say....not having the government tell them what they can or can't do....and if someone chooses to have their bar smoke free, and smokers come by and don't like it, then they can just keep walking down the road....however, it should be the same way with a smoking place....if people don't like smoke, then don't go to a place that has smoke... it's not like bars or clubs are a MUST in life...they don't provide any of lifes necessities.... so yeah, if you don't like it, stay home...or go somewhere else....

[Tomtom]

however, it should be the same way with a smoking place....if people don't like smoke, then don't go to a place that has smoke... it's not like bars or clubs are a MUST in life...they don't provide any of lifes necessities.... so yeah, if you don't like it, stay home...or go somewhere else....


I don't think so,

If a smoker wants to have a smoke while in an establishment... he can step outside. As a non smoker, I should have the right to breath clean air, not have to choose where I go for entertainment based on the fact that I may or may not be able to breath.

[Tomtom]

I think it's really stupid that legally you have to be 19 years of age to purchase tobacco products, but you can smoke at age 16 legally. Really weird...



Can anyone provide a reference for this law? Probably somewhere in the Provincial Statutes.


I don't ever recall reading about a legal smoking age.

[N. McKay]

That combined with a city bylaw that says no smoking in any public place means they don't get to smoke unless they go to private property they have permission to smoke on ;)

Any public place, for the purposes of the bylaw, means indoor public places. Smoking is still allowed outdoors.

My take on smoking is that it's no more acceptable to smoke indoors that it is to set fire to a piece of an old tire or a jar of gasoline. All three produce toxic smoke, and producing toxic smoke inside a building is absolutely not on.

[Caz]

Under Alberta law, no person under the age of 18 may purchase, distribute, or use tobbaco products.

The 'use' part is not something strictly enforced.

I can't speak for other Provinces/Territories.

[jgoguen]

Any public place, for the purposes of the bylaw, means indoor public places. Smoking is still allowed outdoors.
Alright, learned something new about the bylaw. That still means smokers at UNB will have to walk off campus to smoke, which is a 10 minute walk from any of the residences in Fredericton. Plus cross the road, which could be interesting depending on the time of day and where they cross. Don't property owners have the right to ask smokers lingering in front of their property to move elsewhere? Never heard anything about that, but I'd hope they could.

[Tomtom]

Yes, Owners of private property have the right to ask people not to smoke while visiting on their property.

For example, before it became a law in Ontario, Public Schools have been asking students not to smoke on property. Same with most hospitals.

[jgoguen]

Yes, Owners of private property have the right to ask people not to smoke while visiting on their property.

For example, before it became a law in Ontario, Public Schools have been asking students not to smoke on property. Same with most hospitals.
I mean if the smoker is in front of the person's property, like on the sidewalk in front of their house where many people, including the owner, could potentially be inconvienced by the smoker's presence. Or is the sidewalk immediately in front of your house considered part of your property?

[Coomber 535]

Yes, Owners of private property have the right to ask people not to smoke while visiting on their property.

For example, before it became a law in Ontario, Public Schools have been asking students not to smoke on property. Same with most hospitals.
Isn't it law that smoking is not permitted within 9m of hospital entrances?
--
Also, I do think that smoking shouldn't be allowed immediately outside doorways b/c the smoke will blow in with the wind. Smoking section in restaurants don't usually make a difference unless they're glassed-off or something b/c the smoke will just waft over the plants on the half-wall LOL. I'm glad here in Windsor the smoking sections must be completely enclosed.

[Ching]

Alright, learned something new about the bylaw. That still means smokers at UNB will have to walk off campus to smoke, which is a 10 minute walk from any of the residences in Fredericton. Plus cross the road, which could be interesting depending on the time of day and where they cross. Don't property owners have the right to ask smokers lingering in front of their property to move elsewhere? Never heard anything about that, but I'd hope they could.
It's so much easier (and cheaper) just to not smoke...

[jgoguen]

Well that would be my preference, but some people feel this uncontrolable urge to pay the government huge amounts of money to be alllowed to kill themselves slowly:rolleyes:

[funkyfairy]

In Australia it is illegal to supply tobacco products to a minor (under 18) or for a minor to purchase them, yet it is legal for them to smoke at 16...so really they've done illegal stuff to be 16 and smoking anyway.

They've just banned smoking on Manly Council Beaches (Manly Beach if you've heard of it is one of about 5 or 6 major-ish beaches on the north side) and Waverly Council banned it something like 2 days after (they look after Bondi, Bronte, and a bunch of other beaches on the south side). I think it's a great idea from the pollution side of things. Don't care if people smoke out in the open air usually, but I DO care when they leave their ciggie butts all over the beach and buried in the sand.

[Caz]

Don't care if people smoke out in the open air usually, but I DO care when they leave their ciggie butts all over the beach and buried in the sand.I hear ya there - always fun to go to the beach, only for it to feel like an ashtray.

[Tomtom]

I mean if the smoker is in front of the person's property, like on the sidewalk in front of their house where many people, including the owner, could potentially be inconvienced by the smoker's presence. Or is the sidewalk immediately in front of your house considered part of your property?


No, the sidewalk is public property and people are not breaking any laws by smoking, while standing on the sidewalk. Property owners do not have the right to enforce "No Smoking" on a public sidewalk.

An exception to this would be places like a hospital, where in Ontario, it is against the law to smoke within 9 metres of any entrance way. Often, this would extend far beyond the public sidewalk. When I was the Protection Services Supervisor at the Hospital for Sick Children, I often laid smoking bylaw infraction charges to people who were smoking on public sidewalks, but were to close to the entrance. (After many warnings of course)

[Whiff]

In my opinion, if you want to smoke, smoke in the privacy of your own home. In designated smoking areas, smoking rooms, or out by the door, it doesn't mater, it will still affect my heath. I shouldn't have to worry about going somewhere and sucking in someone else's second hand smoke.

I think it's great that Messes are non-smoking now. I'm not sure if it's just an Atlantic region thing, but it should be everywehre. No smoking in the mess and you must be 3m away from a door or window.

I can't wait for the day in Newfoundland and Labrador when they make the clubs non-smoking.

[GoGunz]

I think smoking bylaws are great. There ar no smoking sections in resteraunts in Ottawa, because it is all non-smoking. I don't think people should be allowed to smoke outside either, because it is no different walking down the street to find that the person walking infront of you is smoking, and every breath you take is the one they are breathing out, full of smoke, it is no different from being inside. Smoking kills...period.

[missy]

I agree with many on this subject, however I feel that having a smoking/ non-smoking establishment should be up to the owner and not the govt. If you don't like the fact that their is smoking in an establishment then go to one without (which u will like more becuase of the no smoking). I also feel that smoking in front of children while in an inclosed space is just wrong! They do not know any better to get up and leave, and being the older person I feel you should leave the room and open a window, or go out side. I also know how DISGUSTING it is to be eating and all you can smell is someone smoking their cigg, I can't even finish my meal, I totally agree with the no smoking in restraunts by law though, it is pretty gross to be eating next to a burning smoke. And just a thought, maybe we should start a "quit smoking" thread in a forum, I kno I could sure use it 4 some support........