Smoking at playgrounds, ball parks, and soccer fields in Saugeen Shores could soon be taboo — but it won’t be illegal.
In October 2009, the Grey-Bruce Health Unit approached the town and suggested council pass a by-law banning tobacco use at outdoor recreation spaces.
However, council prefers a policy, rather than a bylaw.
Mayor Mike Smith says if the policy approach does not work, they could consider a by-law in the future.
However, he says a by-law appears to people like the town is carry a “big heavy stick,” and he’d rather see other efforts to build public support, not signage, but mail-out campaigns to user groups instead.
Smith says staff want to use an educational approach.
The Mayor acknowledges 100 percent compliance is unlikely, he wants to see how effective it is after a year.
Smith notes other communities — Owen Sound, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Barrie, Orillia, Clearview Township — have enacted similar policies and by-laws.
Councillors have the opportunity to share their views on the policy before any decisions are made.
Vice Deputy Mayor Doug Gowanlock says he’d like to see the no outdoor smoking policy apply to the town’s trails — but staff are not recommending that at this point.