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Thousands turnout for annual Pride Parade Page A8
NEWS: Nuisance properties targeted in Esquimalt /A3 COMMUNITY: Victorian crowned Miss VI /A9 ARTS: Release a triumph over mental health /A10
VICTORIANEWS Wednesday, July 9, 2014
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A banishment of smoking Sweeping health-based smoking ban comes before CRD board today for approval Kevin Laird News staff
If you’re planning to light up a cigarette in downtown Victoria, you’d better make it quick. The Capital Regional District board is expected to approve a far-reaching smoking ban – the Clean Air Bylaw – today (July 9) which will extend the ban on smoking to include all parks, playgrounds, playing fields, public squares and bus stops and increase the current smoke free buffer zone outside of doorways, windows and air intakes from three to seven metres. The new law would be stricter than provincial legislation. Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins said the driving force behind the bylaw continues to be protecting the health of non-smokers and preventing exposure to secondhand smoke.
“My belief is that personal freedom should not impede on the enjoyment of life on the overall population.” – Mayor Barb Desjardins “To me, a smoke-free world would be wonderful, but you need steps to achieve it,” Desjardins said. This is the third time in 18 months the CRD has attempted to bring the law into effect. CRD directors rejected a strikingly similar clean air bylaw in May 2013 in a tight 12-11 vote. It went before the board again last October seeking more public input. CRD staff considered adding e-cigarettes into the ban, but enough information isn’t available on the health-effects of the product. Further
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study would have required a delay in implementing the bylaw. Desjardins said she received little comment, either pro or con, on the smoking ban. Some, however, questioned whether the government is going too far in restricting smoking. “My belief is that personal freedom should not impede on the enjoyment of life on the overall population,” said Desjardin, a non-smoker. Victoria resident Mike Tennisco said smoking restrictions have gone far enough. “To continue to penalize the users of a legally available product is now approaching discrimination. The continued vilification of this segment of the population has reached the point of a witch hunt against a group of people that PlEASE SEE: Downtown smoking ban, Page A4
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