Richmond’s city council has approved new regulations that will increase limitations on smoking and vaping in public spaces.
Falling under the public health protection bylaw, the new restrictions will be implemented on May 1. Under the new regulation, the definition of “smoking” and “smoke” will include cannabis and all vapour items.
Smoking at public parks and on school grounds will be prohibited, as will smoking within nine metres of bus shelters, transit signs, customer service areas including patios, doors, windows and air intakes.
“The new regulations support the recommendations of health authorities, including Vancouver Coastal Health, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and the British Columbia Lung Association, to improve the current level of public health protection in the community,” said a city press release.
The new regulations will also aim to mitigate the threat of smoking-related fires. According to the city, cigarette fires are one of the leading causes of fires in Richmond.
Fines will remain the same and violators will be charged $150 for their first offence, with fines reaching $1,000.
