With marijuana legalization imminent, this Canadian town is pushing to ban outdoor smoking. City officials of the town of Hampstead say they plan to ban all forms of smoking in outdoor public places, according to the CBC. Hampstead is on the west end of the island of Montreal, in Quebec.
Bill Steinberg, the mayor of Hampstead, said the ordinance would apply to all outdoor public areas.
“Parks, the streets, the sidewalks — everywhere except private property. You could still smoke on your own lawn in your backyard,” he said.
Smokers would still be able to light up while in their cars, however.
The law covers tobacco and all products that can be smoked. Therefore, the ban applies to cannabis, as well. Electronic cigarettes would still be allowed to be used outside.
The city plans to fine offenders of the ban from $100 to $600.
Weed Is the Reason
Canada’s federal government plans to legalize cannabis this year. Mayor Steinberg said the city’s action is due to that impending legislation.
“Pot was what got us thinking about this right now, but it’s really for all types of second-hand smoke,” he said.
Hampstead resident Marge Cracower supports the proposal.
“I think it’s a good idea,” she told reporters. “With the new pot laws that are going to be enacted, people can smoke anywhere they want and you’ve got a lot of young families with young children living here, and just to be smoking pot on the street anywhere is not such a good idea.”
The federal government set July 2018 as a goal for implementing marijuana legalization in Canada. However, according to media reports, that date may be out of reach.
Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor told lawmakers