We aren’t the only ones. Even the Cancer Society and Smoke Free Nova Scotia think Bridgewater’s proposed bylaw to ban smoking on streets, sidewalks and the two bridges (no, the bridges are apparently NOT beyond the long arm of municipal tyranny) is excessive.
Sharon MacIntosh, president of Smoke-Free Nova Scotia, and Michael Derosenroll of the Nova Scotia division of the Canadian Cancer Society said while there is support in Nova Scotia for a smoking ban, the draft bylaw put forth in Bridgewater might be going too far.
“Our recommendation to you is to consider passing a bylaw focused on specific outdoor areas where people tend to congregate in groups, especially where children congregate,” Mr. Derosenroll said.
Both recommended phasing in a smoking ban, beginning with parks, playgrounds, beaches, sports fields and bleachers, parade routes, outdoor markets and concerts, trails and other footpaths, bus stops and cemeteries.
Their reasoning, however, is much different than ours. Their suggestion is one of strategy, not a defense of freedom.
Both recommended phasing in a smoking ban, beginning with parks, playgrounds, beaches, sports fields and bleachers, parade routes, outdoor markets and concerts, trails and other footpaths, bus stops and cemeteries.
Ms. MacIntosh said Bridgewater is providing leadership for the province and the country, but it is important to balance public policy with public readiness to accept and comply with regulation.
Ah, yes, the thin edge of the wedge tactic. Start small, creep up on them and hope they don’t notice and scream blue murder. By the time they wake up it will be too late, their rights will be gone, gone, gone. But Bridgewater has let the cat out of the bag and the backlash has already begun.
Bridgewater resident Ken Edwards quit smoking in 1973.
“I gave up cold turkey, it never bothered me a bit,” he said of his three-pack-a-day habit.
Mr. Edwards said he can support smoke-free beaches and playgrounds, but going further than that is not right.
“A lot of people think this has just gone way too far, way too far.”
He said if he is in a public place and bothered by someone smoking, he leaves.
“That’s my choice.”
Councillors would take away his choice if they implemented a sweeping ban that includes all public places, and he believes a lot of people agree with him.
“” “What next?’ is what I’m hearing. “What next?’ “
Resident Peter Roberts agrees.
“As a taxpayer, I feel council is going somewhere it shouldn’t be going.”
He said he doesn’t believe town council has the right to ban a legal activity on its streets.
We don’t either. Notice the residents’ concern about liberty and the erosion of their rights which doesn’t get mentioned by the Cancer Society or Smoke Free NS.
Deputy Mayor David Walker was the only member of council who spoke out against it.
He said he is greatly disappointed councillors think they have to apply “the heavy-handed arm of the law to get people to comply; that we must have a bylaw because people are not capable of making good choices.”
Councillors agreed to defer debate for two weeks so that the issues of the exhibition and smoking around school property can be addressed by town staff.
Mr. Walker was the sole dissenter. [link to source]
Bravo Mr. Walker.
Filed under: Provincial | Tagged: Bridgewater, smoking bylaws
