Cracking down on smoking Updated

City Council heard formal and public presentations from both sides on the issue of passing a brand-new non-smoking by-law.

Smokers beware. As of January 1st, North Bay could be home to a brand new anti-smoking by-law. At Monday night’s Committee meeting, City Council heard from various parties who suggested a nine-metre zone around any public entrance in the City; with the exception of those on Main Street. Also among the exemptions are balconies and patios at restaurants and bars.

However, Deputy Mayor Peter Chirico warns the public that this by-law is still a ways away from being passed.

“We will be going back to the Public Health Unit for discussion at the board level, and from that we’ll come to a recommendation,” said Chirico.

Chirico says the public’s input is what will for said recommendation. This by-law was proposed because, since July the Public Health Unit has received numerous complaints to people smoking near entranceways to public buildings. Chirico does admit, however, this by-law will not prohibit smoking in all places because it’s too hard to accomplish such a feat.

“We want to make sure that by-laws that are passed by this council are enforced, because there’s nothing worse than a by-law that can’t be enforced – Plain and simple,” said Chirico.

Citizens of North Bay who disobey this proposed by-law could face hefty fines of anywhere between 150 and 250 dollars, but Chirico says it won’t be that high to punish people.

“The idea is to educate; it’s not to hit with a hammer… it’s to get people to comply and realise again it’s in nobody’s best interest to continue to smoke,” said Chirico.

The Deputy Mayor said he believes Council will fully and completely support the passing of this by-law.

“I think that anything we can do as a community that will promote a healthier community is something that this council – I’m quite certain will support,” said Chirico.

Chirico also said he believes the Provincial non-smoking legislation isn’t enough and that North Bay wants to set a trend of healthy communities.

“I think that they (the Province) try to address this issue of by-laws being uniform right across the province,” said Chirico “I think that this sets us above – as we did in 2003 when we passed the non-smoking by-law that we went ahead of provincial legislation. Let’s face it smoking kills people.”