Banff is now largely smoke-free and vape-free in public places
Banff's new bylaw prohibiting smoking or vaping of tobacco in many public places is now in effect.
Councillors passed the Smoke Free Public Place Bylaw in December by a vote of 5 to 1.
"The new rules provide a safer place for residents and visitors to enjoy Banff without the health risks of second-hand smoke," reads a statement on the Town of Banff’s website.
"The new bylaw also helps reduce fire risks and reduces littering in the national park community."
As of Feb. 1, smoking or vaping of tobacco products is prohibited in the following areas throughout the town:
- Bus stops;
- Public sidewalks and pedestrian zones;
- Municipal parks/parkettes/green spaces;
- Trails and pathways;
- Outdoor markets;
- Outdoor events; and
- In proximity to children not in one’s custody, care or control.
Provincial law continues to ban smoking within five metres from publicly accessible doorways or windows, which has restricted smoking for a number of years on most sidewalks in the downtown core.
New provincial restrictions implemented in 2021 also bans smoking in:
- Hospital, school and childcare properties;
- Playgrounds, sports and playing fields;
- Skateboard and bicycle parks;
- zoos, outdoor theatres; and
- public outdoor pools and splash pads.
Banff had previously banned smoking or vaping of cannabis in any public places in the town boundaries, except in the Parks Canada-managed Cascades Gardens, on trails and areas outside the town boundaries.
Smoke and vaping of tobacco and nicotine products will still be allowed on private property, outdoor parking areas and alleys.
"Businesses can continue to designate smoking areas on their private property, such as hotel grounds and sidewalks leading to restaurants, off the public sidewalks," reads the Town of Banff's website.
"The ceremonial use of tobacco through Indigenous practices are also allowed."
Smoking restrictions have been discussed by council since June 2018 when the topic first emerged during cannabis legalization.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
Police tangle with students in Texas and California as wave of campus protest against Gaza war grows
Police tangled with student demonstrators in Texas and California while new encampments sprouted Wednesday at Harvard and other colleges as school leaders sought ways to defuse a growing wave of pro-Palestinian protests.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.