Kelowna moves to restrict e-cigarette use in parks

KELOWNA – Kelowna city council is moving forward with plans to restrict e-cigarette use in parks.

Amendments to the city’s Parks and Public Spaces Bylaw have passed third reading.

Among other things, the updated bylaw changes the definition of smoking to include the use of electronic cigarettes.

The amended bylaw prohibits smoking, and by extension vaping, in parks and public spaces.

However, the bylaw does make an exception by allowing smoking and vaping in designated areas.

Read More: Kelowna considers banning e-cigarettes

Interior Health recommended the city make the changes.

In a letter to the city, acting chief medical health officer, Dr. Trevor Corneil, wrote the e-cigarette devices, “are not appropriate for use in smoke free outdoor environments.”

Read More: B.C. to ban e-cigarette sales to youth

The city is also putting new rules in place for geocaching and the use of drones.

The bylaw will require anyone operating a drone or unmanned aircraft to have a permit.

It also stipulates geocaches will be removed from parks unless they meet a list of conditions.

The hidden caches can’t be buried, disturb wildlife, vegetation or heritage sites, and can’t be permanently attached or interfere with other recreational activities.

The revamped bylaw is expected to be formally adopted next Monday.