As of November 26, 2016, smoking is prohibited within 9 meters of any door or window that opens in Canada. However, this 9-meter rule is not always respected by smokers and vapers and some people wonder if it is understood by the population.
FOR LUCIE CHARLEBOIS « THE MIND HAS NOT CHANGED!«
Since November 26, 2016, it is forbidden to smoke within 9 meters of any door or window that opens. If the 9-meter radius ends beyond a sidewalk or the lot on which the building is located, the smoker simply needs to go to the edge of the sidewalk or lot in question. Among the many anti-smoking measures adopted by the Government of Quebec since 2015, it is by far the "9-meter radius" that has led to the most inspections, notices and statements of offense.
Yet posting standards have been adopted and awareness has been raised. Currently, 33 inspectors ensure compliance with the law.
« We gave people time to get used ", Says the outgoing minister Lucie Charlebois, currently a candidate for provincial elections in Soulanges for the Quebec Liberal Party.
Even if the measure aims to protect the public rather than punish smokers, Ms. Charlebois says the only way to make people understand the rule is to continue to crack down. " We want to reduce our smoking rate, but there are not 150 ways to do it », She illustrates. Moreover, the number of notices and statements of offense submitted for the 9-meter radius has greatly increased over the past year.
“INFORMATION AND AWARENESS! "
Le Quebec Council on Health and Tobacco believes, however, that there is still a need for information and awareness. " It takes a while for these measures to be understood and to change a social norm , Says the spokesperson for the Council, Claire Harvey.
According to Ms. Harvey, if the ban on smoking on terraces generated fewer notices and statements of offense than the famous 9-meter radius, it is because it was understood more quickly. The strong media coverage of the measure concerning terraces has probably contributed to making it known to Quebecers, believes Ms. Harvey.
« This measure had nevertheless been preceded by a measure prohibiting smoking in bars and restaurants. She adds.
Source : Ici.radio-canada.ca/
