Smoke Free Open Space Policy

Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia · adopted 2015-11-16

This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document. Snapshot 0cafe9ddfe39 · verified 2026-06-05 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

Town of Port Hawkesbury Smoke Free Open Space Policy Page 1 of 2 TOWN OF PORT HAWKESBURY SMOKE FREE OPEN SPACE POLICY The Municipality of the Town of Port Hawkesbury has created the 'Smoke Free Open Space Policy' to promote healthy lifestyles and to further protect residents and those visiting the community, especially young children, from exposure to second hand smoke by creating awareness and education that promotes smoke free open recreational spaces with an emphasis on sidewalks, playgrounds, sports fields, trail heads, open spaces, tourism properties and boardwalks/waterfronts. This policy is intended to encourage healthy active living for all residents. TITLE 1. This policy may be cited as the 'Smoke Free Open Space Policy'. OBJECTIVES 2. The objectives of the Smoke Free Open Space policy are: 2.1 To establish an awareness program that will identify the adverse health effects of second hand smoke, particularly on the young and the elderly. 2.2 To respect the rights of all residents to be involved in healthy active living opportunities. 2.3 To limit the exposure to second hand smoke while on municipally owned and operated parks, playgrounds, sidewalks, trail heads, sport fields, open spaces, tourism properties or boardwalks/waterfronts through signage, promotion and education. 2.4 To encourage all public recreational open spaces to be smoke free as part of a comprehensive approach to healthy living. DEFINITIONS 3. In this policy: 3.1 'Smoke' means the gases, particles, or vapors released into the air as a result of combustion, electrical ignition or vaporization for the purpose of combustion, electrical ignition or vaporization or inhalation, electronic cigarette vapors, and marijuana smoke. This includes the use of an e-cigarette, or any oral smoking device which produces a smoke or vapor or mimics the act of smoking, and any future alternative tobacco products developed. Town of Port Hawkesbury Smoke Free Open Space Policy Page 2 of 2 3.2 'Smoking' means possessing a lit pipe/cigar or cigarette, lighted hookah pipe, an operative electronic cigarette blunt, smokeless tobacco, and oral tobacco including spit, chew, snuff and snus. SCOPE 4. This policy covers only municipally owned and /or maintained outdoor properties, including parks, sidewalks playgrounds, trail heads, sport fields, open spaces, tourism properties or boardwalks/waterfronts. POLICY STATEMENTS 1. The Municipality of the Town of Port Hawkesbury will support initiatives that recognize the Smoke Free Zone Space policy for the protection of the residents and those visiting the community. 2. All Town of Port Hawkesbury open spaces will be promoted as smoke free areas that require a 15 metre smoking distance from participants, spectators, visitors and patrons utilizing these spaces. 3. Signage will be posted at designated locations indicating 'Smoke Free Zone Space' policy designated smoke free. CAO's Annotation for Official Policy Book Policy Review Notification: November 2, 2015 Policy Review Date: November 16, 2015 Approved by Council: November 16, 2015 I certify this to be a true copy of the Smoke Free Open Space Policy, as adopted by the Town Council of Port Hawkesbury at a Public Meeting held November 16, 2015. _________________________________ Maris Freimanis, P. Eng. Chief Administrative Officer