The City of Edmonton is going to reinstall ashtrays along Whyte Avenue less than nine months after removing them.
In October 2018, the smoking bylaw was changed to increase the distance between doors and windows and where smoking is allowed.
Previously, people had to smoke five metres away from entrances. That was increased to 10 metres.
The change made nearly all areas of a busy stretch on Whyte Avenue off-limits for smokers, so most ashtrays along there were removed.
In a report to city councillors, administration wrote that the decision “was made so as not to promote smoking or add to any confusion about the bylaw setback distance.”
According to those in the area, that led to an increase in cigarette butts lining the road.
“We’ve seen a huge increase in litter, from basically never seeing any cigarette litter on the grounds — or very very little… [and now] we see a huge amount of litter,” said Cherie Klassen, executive director of the Old Strathcona Business Association.
On Wednesday, Klassen told the community and public services committee that the increase was a direct result of the removal of the ashtrays.
“As soon as you remove a litter receptacle, human nature isn’t going to change just because the receptacle isn’t there anymore,” she explained.
“So I think it was pretty expected that that would happen.”
After hearing from the Old Strathcona Business Association, Councillor Michael Walters brought forward a motion to bring back the ashtrays as soon as possible.
City administration said that would likely happen before the end of July.
Watch below: (From July 2018) Edmonton Councillor Michael Walters explains why council switched gears on public consumption rules.
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