WATCH: E-cigarrettes could soon fall under the same city bylaw that bans regular cigarettes, but users believe they should be exempt. Stefan Keyes reports.
CALGARY – The City of Calgary is one step closer to banning the use of e-cigarettes in public places.
On Tuesday, councillors on the Community and Protective Services committee voted in favour of a recommendation that vaping be banned anywhere that smoking is currently not allowed.
The ban would stop the use of e-cigs in workplaces, public buildings, playgrounds and recreation facilities, restaurants, bars and patios, and on transit including bus stops and LRT platforms.
If passed, the by-law could take effect as early as July, giving Calgary one of the toughest policies against e-cigarettes in Canada. So far only Red Deer, Cold Lake and Vancouver have similar policies in place.
Nova Scotia is the only province to impose a province-wide ban on e-cigarette use in public places as well as a ban on sales to minors.
A city survey presented to councillors found 70 per cent of Calgarians asked were opposed to e-cigarette use in public areas.
The issues returns to city council for a vote on June 29th.
– With files from Dallas Flexhaug and Heather Yourex
Comments