Provincial parks in Manitoba to have smoke-free public beaches

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Published on Thursday, March 7, 2013

myWestman.ca

The hundreds of thousands of Manitoba families and tourists who visit Manitoba's parks each year will be able to enjoy smoke-free public beaches and playgrounds beginning in the summer of 2014.

"Our beaches are internationally recognized as some of the best in the country.  Making our public park beaches smoke free is about continuing to protect these natural treasures," said stewardship and conservation minister Gord Mackintosh in a release. "Smoking litter is a nuisance to park users and the environment.  Like many other parents, I want to stop cigarette butts from ending up in our waterways, along our beaches and in the playgrounds where we take our kids."

Manitoba is the first jurisdiction in Canada to make public beaches and playgrounds smoke free in all of its parks, though some American states including California and Hawaii have had smoke-free parks and beaches for years.

Research shows that second-hand smoke, even in an outdoor setting, can lead to the same health problems as direct smoking including lung cancer, cardiovascular disease and lung ailments such as emphysema, bronchitis and asthma.  

Mackintosh said park officials will enforce the smoke-free policy with $299 fines for violators, though for the first year they will only issue warnings.  Smoke-free signs and cigarette disposal receptacles will be ordered and installed in preparation for 2014.

Mackintosh also said the smoke-free policy is part of a soon-to-be-released Parks Strategy that includes a variety of dedicated initiatives for making parks Gateways to Healthier Living, adding when the full strategy is announced, Manitobans will be invited to share their suggestions on additional ways to improve the provincial parks including options for expanding parks' smoke-free areas.

Manitoba news release