What's New

The most significant thing currently happening in British Columbia is that changes to strengthen tobacco control legislation became effective March 31 2008. Smoking will be banned in all indoor public place or worksites, including pubs, bars and restaurants, public transit and transit shelters. Designated smoking rooms are no longer permitted in restaurants and bars. In addition, there is a 3 metre non-smoking "buffer zone" around public and work place doorways, open windows and air intakes, including the doorways of apartment buildings and condominiums.

In addition to the provincial smoke-free legislation, the City of Vancouver has adopted stricter legislation than the province, and smoking is now banned on restaurant/bar patios. The City of Vancouver has also banned smoking within a 6 meter perimeter of patios, which is the first municipality known to do this. In addition, smoking is banned within 6 meters of building doorways, windows or air intakes.

Click here for more information.

March 29, 2008 - Maple Ridge News
Municipalities urged to ban smoking on outdoor patios
by Jeff Nagel

February 4, 2008 - Vancouver Sun
Vancouver woman demands smoke-free housing
by Gerry Bellett