VCH’s Tobacco Reduction team, in partnership with Canadian Cancer Society are inviting local residents to take part in an action planning process which will inform how we move forward towards more smoke free spaces on the Sunshine Coast.

What is the session for?

The Smoke Free Spaces Action Planning Session is open to all supportive residents. It will briefly touch on the results of a survey conducted last fall, which more than 500 people completed. Overall, respondents were supportive of enhancing the provincial law with some municipal bylaws:

• 84% were sometimes or frequently exposed to second-hand smoke
• 67% viewed second-hand smoke as either highly annoying or a serious health risk
• 83% supported enhancing the current anti-smoking bylaw to widen the non-smoking zone around doorways to 6 metres
• 67% supported enhancing the current anti-smoking bylaw to eliminate smoking on all hospitality patios

Depending on the interest and direction of the action planning group, potential changes to the anti-smoking bylaw could wind up being proposed to the Sunshine Coast Regional District, the Town of Gibsons and/or the District of Sechelt. The guided decision making process to be used for the meeting will help participants decide what makes the most sense for their region.

The Smoke Free Spaces Action Planning Session is being held:

Feb. 6, 2014
4:30 – 5:30 pm
5571 Inlet Ave
Sechelt

Want more information?

Anyone wanting more information on the planning process or the survey results should contact Caitlin Etherington at caitlin.etherington@vch.ca