majority would like all smoking stubbed out in parks: poll
the poll asked about smoking or vaping any substance — including tobacco, nicotine and cannabis — and all manner of parks.
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recent findings “suggest that lower legal penalties for cannabis use and possession are associated with an increased risk of dog poisoning events involving cannabinoid products.” /
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by: angela stelmakowichabout 63 per cent of recently surveyed canadians say they would like to see all smoking — that includes cannabis — banned from national, provincial and municipal parks.in a poll conducted by leger research and commissioned by action on smoking & health (ash canada), 1,509 respondents were asked to what extent they agree or disagree that smoking or vaping any substance — including tobacco, nicotine and cannabis — should be banned in all municipal, provincial and national parkstheir response was clear, with almost two-thirds saying they believe smoking should be verboten. a majority of respondents in all regions of the country supported the proposal, ash canada reports in a statement, with fewer than 30 per cent opposing the measure.“smoke-free parks protect children and youth from exposure to public smoking and vaping, and they protect these precious environments from litter and wildfires,” says les hagen, executive director of ash canada. the clear preference makes it incumbent on “all levels of government to make parks and recreation spaces smoke-free,” hagen contends.ottawa needs to follow the lead of provinces such as b.c. and new brunswick, as well as numerous, says angeline webb, co-chair of the campaign for a smoke-free alberta.cynthia callard, executive director of physicians for a smoke-free canada, adds that beyond human exposures, “careless disposal of smoking material is a significant cause of wildfires and a major source of litter in parks and recreation spaces.”according to the conversation, increased cannabis use among people outdoors is having a detrimental effect on our furry friends. using data from reported calls to the animal poison control center in the u.s., the findings “suggest that lower legal penalties for cannabis use and possession are associated with an increased risk of dog poisoning events involving cannabinoid products.”organizations represented in the ash canada statement “are sending letters to all environment ministers across canada urging them to implement policy in public parks that prohibit the consumption of combustible smoking in all park areas, with the exception of campsites, by 2022.”
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parks canada reports that “provincial, territorial and municipal cannabis legislation applies to national parks, historic sites, marine conservation areas, and rouge national urban park.”in parks canada campgrounds, the information adds, “non-medical cannabis consumption is limited to the visitor’s campsite,” which makes common areas such as playgrounds, kitchen shelter, washrooms, trails or roads off-limits.municipal rules around smoking are governed by the particular city or town. in toronto parks, for example, “no person shall smoke (this includes cannabis) within the boundaries of a nine-metre radius surrounding” a long list of amenities or areas, including sports fields, playground safety surface or playground equipment, wading pool basin or splash pad safety zone, ski hill, outdoor swimming pool or deck or outdoor theatre space.as noted, some provinces don’t allow smoking anywhere in public. in manitoba, smoking is only allowed in private residences and is prohibited in public places like vehicles, school grounds and sidewalks, according to legal line.in new brunswick, “consumption of cannabis in any form is prohibited anywhere but in a private residences and on private property. if consuming cannabis in another residence, you must have the permission of the homeowner,” the information adds.subscribe to weekend dispensary, a new weekly newsletter from the growthop.
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