THUNDER BAY -- The city's outdoor events will be smoke-free this year.
Starting with the first Summer in the Parks July 8, smoking will only be allowed in designated areas after a unanimous council decision Monday night.
The policy will be based on voluntary compliance rather than a bylaw. Cultural services and events supervisor Leah Bayly said that option is cheaper as anyone can remind a smoker that there's a policy in place rather than having a bylaw officer present but it also allows for a gentler educational approach and often times has more success.
The city's Teddy Bear Picnic has been smoke-free since 2011. Only two people have lit up since then and were willing to smoke elsewhere when told of the policy.
"This experience showed us that when people know the rules, they want to comply," Bayly said.
Some councillors were concerned that the designated smoking areas would be a problem as second-hand smoke could still be in the air.
"Really our intention is to place those temporary areas at a sufficient distance that that would not be a concern,” Bayly said.
