The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is reminding residents that new restrictions on smoking near children’s play areas will come into effect next month.
The new bylaw becomes official June 1. When it is in place, residents will be prohibited from smoking within 10 metres of playground equipment in city parks. Residents will also be banned from smoking within 10 metres of public beach areas and entrances to recreational facilities.
"This bylaw is a great move by city council because it has responded to the idea of protecting our children from exposure to smoking and smoking litter in the areas where they play," Ken Ranta, manager of tobacco programs at the Health Unit, is quoted saying in a news release issued Tuesday.
Thunder Bay’s ban is similar to bans already in place in Ontario cities like Woodstock, Waterloo, Collingwood, Sault Ste. Marie and Toronto.
Vancouver will have a similar ban in place at its city parks and beaches this fall.
