HomeMy WebLinkAboutSmoke Free Outdoor Spaces Policy
Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Policy
Smoke-Free Outdoor Spaces
1. Title
This policy is entitled "Smoke-Free Outdoor Spaces" and applies to outdoor spaces on property
owned and/or operated by the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
2. Purpose
This Policy is to provide guidance regarding implementation and positive messaging around
discouraging smoking in outdoor spaces on property owned and/or operated by the Cape
Breton Regional Municipality. This includes municipal parks, trails, beaches, and any other
municipal outdoor site used by the general public.
3. Definition
"Smoking" means to inhale, exhale, burn, or have control over a lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe,
hooka pipe, or other lighted smoking implement designed to burn or heat tobacco or any other
weed or substance for the purpose of inhaling or tasting of its emissions, but does not include
using or having control over nicotine replacement products approved for use by Health Canada.
4. Overview
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality provides a number of outdoor spaces and parks for
residents and visitors to enjoy outdoor recreational pursuits. The Municipality also values
health and wellness and recognizes the importance of helping to promote the health, well-being
and safety of its residents, through positive messaging, education and other initiatives.
Under the Provincial Smoke-free Places Act.2002, c.12, s. 1., Smoking is prohibited in a number
of areas including:
. Inside public buildings or work spaces;
. Outdoor restaurant, bar and lounge patios;
. Within 4m of a building entrance, exit, window or air intake;
. Inside a vehicle with children under the age of 19 present;
. On school grounds or in nursing homes.
Smoke-Free Outdoor Spaces Policy
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5. Intent
The intent of this policy is to:
a) Promote to the public, through positive messaging, the value of having smoke-free outdoor
spaces using signage, brochures and other communication methods. Compliance would be
primarily self-enforced.
b) Ensure that signage is posted in areas such as parks, playgrounds, trail heads, sport fields
and open spaces which are owned by the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
c) Place emphasis on location/facilities where youth are active participants and where people
gather or congregate.
d) Guide Senior Management and Council in their efforts to determine staff level duties and
responsibilities for promotion, education and implementation of the smoke-free policy in
parks, open spaces and other municipality owned outdoor spaces.
e) Identify in the annual municipal budget an amount to be allocated for promotion and
education towards non-smoking initiatives in outdoor recreation spaces.
f) Provide an opportunity for discussion, education and cooperation with municipal staff who
smoke.
6. Municipal Areas Included in the Policy
(a) A park on municipal property or property the municipality maintains;
(b) A playground on municipal property;
(c) An outdoor recreational facility on municipal property, including but not limited to a sports
field, grandstand, seating area or bleacher;
(d) The grounds of a municipal building;
(e) The grounds of an event on municipal property that is open to the public, including but not
limited to a festival, market or concert;
(f) A trail or path on municipal property or property the municipality maintains.
Approved by CBRM Council: January 21,2014