A popular downtown pub joined a growing list of restaurants that has banned smoking on the patio.
O’Hanlon’s Irish pub said they are making the change before an inevitable bylaw happens.
Aligning the announcement with World No Tobacco day, the pub installed some new ash trays and signage explaining the house rule.
READ MORE: Regina residents support smoking ban for patios, parks: Survey
“We got together one day and unanimously decided that this is something we should do,” Andrew Shanks, general manager of O’Hanlon’s Irish Pub said. “There will be a lot of buzz behind it for the first little bit but I think it’s a very small adjustment to make.”
The Regina Downtown Business Improvement District (RDBID) said 6 of 8 patios in the core are now smoke free.
“Hopefully this will increase patio traffic and everyone will be able to come out and have a good time,” said Leasa Gibbons, manager of marketing and communications with RDBID.
Regina is one of the last cities in Canada to still allow smoking on patios. Saskatoon has been smoke free since 2004.
READ MORE: Saskatoon city council bans smoking at outdoor city properties
But according to written statement from the city of Regina, “smoking bans for patios are not being considered at this time. The city follows provincial legislation with regard to bans on smoking.”
Shanks said feedback to the policy change has not all been positive, but believes patrons at O’Hanlon’s will come around.
“I’ve read a couple of nasty comments about people not being too happy but I’ve also read a lot of positive feedback so far.”
O’Hanlon’s also banned the use of e-cigarettes on the patio.
Comments