Downtown Port Coquitlam will soon become a virtual no-go zone for smoking in the coming weeks as the city clamps down on smokers congesting outside city businesses, local parks and near city hall.
“I’m not talking about people smoking here and there where it’s an odd nuisance,” said Mayor Brad West. “I’m talking about smoking that is so persistent that it results in a number of people feeling that they can’t visit those areas of downtown Port Coquitlam.”
The move comes at a time when the city is working on revitalizing the downtown area with improvements on McAllister Avenue, but West said the efforts to toughen the smoking control bylaw were prompted by ongoing complaints from the public.
With the changes, expected to be approved in the coming weeks, Port Coquitlam will have rules that are stronger than even provincial Tobacco Control regulations, which bans smoking six metres from public entrances.
Port Coquitlam’s updated bylaw will stop people from smoking within 7.5 metres (25 feet) of businesses or any building accessed by the public (not including private homes or strata buildings) and bylaw officers will be able to slap $250 fines on people — up from $75 — or $200 if paid within 14 days.
The new no-smoking rule extends to areas within 7.5 metres of crosswalks, which includes street corners, where smokers tend to gather.
Smoking also won’t be allowed in taxis, ride-hailing vehicles or vehicles used to transport minors.
Among the concerns of city councillors at Tuesday’s virtual meeting was low-income people getting hit by fines they couldn’t pay or cigarette butts being tossed on the ground.
NO FINES IF PEOPLE BUTT OUT
But West told the Tri-City News people won’t be fined if they butt out and he pointed out that a city cleaner already picks up cigarette butts and other litter in the city every day.
“Our bylaw officers have always taken a very common sense approach to this and so if people can’t afford the fine, the reality is they should not be smoking [in the banned space] and we want to get compliance with that — so if they comply with the bylaw there will be no fine.”
As well, he said, some people may also have special receptacles for their cigarette butts.
To reduce the fire hazard associated with discarded cigarette butts, the bylaw will also specifically require smokers to safely put out and dispose of their cigarette (or stop vaping) when requested to do so by a bylaw officer.
It’s not just cigarette smokers who can’t light up on city streets and parks. Vaping or e-cigarettes can’t be smoked in the prohibited areas whether they’re burning tobacco, cannabis or other plant material.
PRIORITY ISSUE FOR CITY
West said the city recently added two additional bylaw officers to its staff to operate seven days a week.
“We have given clear direction to our bylaw department that we want them to prioritize this issue, what that’s going look like is regular patrols of the downtown,” he promised.
RCMP officers will also be enforcing provisions in the new bylaw, including provisions banning smoking in taxis and ride-sharing cars.
Port Coquitlam’s current smoking bylaw, adopted in 2018, bans smoking and vaping in parks, trails and fields, within 7.5 metres of bus stops and government-owned buildings, on city streets during public outdoor events, and in churches, halls and other buildings where people gather.
The updated bylaw expanding those rules will be in place in February after final adoption.
