Town Council

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Discussion heated up Monday night at Saugeen Shores Town Council meeting ignited by a proposal brought to Council to ban smoking on public beaches.

Jason Weppler of the Grey Bruce Health Unit asked that Council consider tobacco free beaches as an amendment to the policy that is already in place banning smoking from recreational facilities and areas.

"Children's recreation and smoking don't mix," said Weppler.  "There are six major reasons that we are making this request for tobacco free beaches.

• to prevent children from using tobacco after watching parents who are role models

• to give everyone a chance to perform at their best including on the beaches

• to protect the environment - cigarette butts are the main source of litter and take 15 years to break down

• to protect children from second-hand smoke

• to remove temptation from those who are trying to quit or who have recently quit

He went on to explain that one in five residents in Grey and Bruce are smokers.  "There are currently nine beaches in Ontario that have banned smoking, including in Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Orillia and Barrie. "

According to Weppler the Grey Bruce Health Unit would like to see a county-wide ban and said there are grants available for up to $1500 for communities for signage and promotional materials.

Councilor Taun Frosst asked how enforcement of such a ban would be carried out.  "We think it would tend to be self-enforcing through signage," said Weppler, "but as a By-law, it would be a challenge."

"I agree with recreational facilities," said Frosst, "but I have a hard time with beaches.  If I were alone on a beach, I have to be honest, I would light up. There are adults who will smoke regardless of who is around.  I'd support this is a policy but not a By-law that would have to be enforced."

"What exactly are you asking for?" asked Deputy Mayor Luke Charbonneau.

Weppler said the intent was to look at the beaches as smoke free area and at the grant possibility that exists.

"What is the end game of all this?" demanded Deputy Mayor Luke Charbonneau.  "We (council) passed a resolution to ban smoking on play grounds and municipal properties.  What's next?  Ban smoking on all public properties and then the next thing will be private property.? Is it your goal, or the Health Unit's, to ban all smoking everywhere?  Why don't you just go to the Province now at election time and ask them to ban all smoking?"

"I think it's a sneaky way of incrementally moving toward a total ban on smoking," stressed Charbonneau who is a non-smoker.

Councilor Marcel Legault wanted to know if the proposal was just for sand areas or did it include boardwalks and all other areas.  Weppler replied that other municipalities had a nine meter setback policy.

"I agree that the idea of a policy is good," said Councilor Diane Huber, "but enforcement of a By-law would be a problem.  Signage for educational purposes is a good message and might deter smokers.  I have great issues with smoking at entrances to restaurants for instance and patios even though they are outdoor spaces.  If there is food and beverage available then I agree there should be no smoking.  Perhaps, if we put out 'butt' receptacles, people might use them.  I, for one, however have stopped going into restaurants that allow smoking at the entrance."

Mayor Mike Smith explained that the intent of the original policy (for recreational areas)  was to review it after a year or so to see if there was something that could  be changed.

Jayne Jagalewski, Director of Community Services, said that the town had taken advantage of the original policy and grant dollars.  "We met with groups, such as the soccer and baseball organizations, to explain that all of our parks would be smoke-free and, today, the umpires and referees, are responding in the field and, for the most part, adults are acting more responsibly."

Weppler brought a tricycle covered in cigarette butts to the meeting.  "This was created by a group of youth peer leaders who collection a lot of garbage on their beach and enough butts to outfit a tricycle.

"Well, I am very uncomfortable with the whole thing," added Charbonneau.  "I do not think the public wants us to nickel and dime them over what they can and cannot do all the time.  What's next?  We send out men in blue uniforms who jump out every time someone lights up a cigarette?  I do not support this in any way."

No decision was made.

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Wednesday, September 28, 2011