The City of Regina is looking to the public to find ways to butt out smoking.
Mayor Michael Fougere announced Friday the city is starting public consultation about smoking on patios and in other public spaces. Vaping and e-cigarettes will also be a part of the discussion.
Regina city council voted in favour of the consultation back in December.
“We want to consult with residents and business owners and community partners to make sure we get this right on potential changes for the bylaw,” Fougere said.
The city will meet with business owners and event organizers March 8 to discuss the smoking bylaw. Regina residents are invited to an event on March 9.
While Fougere said city council wants to tackle the smoking bylaw, he acknowledged the issue isn’t “top of mind” for residents.
“When we talk about updating the bylaw, and talking about public safety and talking about making a more breathable environment, (that’s when) people will say, ‘Yes, you should do that.’”
The Canadian Cancer Society in Saskatchewan is happy the city is taking the first steps to looking at the bylaw.
“We’ve done a couple of studies ourselves and we know that the public is behind this, the public wants this, they’re waiting for it,” said Donna Ziegler with the cancer society.
An online survey for the bylaw is available online.
Regina begins consultation on smoking bylaw
By Britton Gray
Feb 24, 2017 | 5:01 PM