Starting Thursday smokers become persona non grata on terrasses and public areas throughout Quebec.

The final provisions of Quebec's latest anti-tobacco law come into effect on May 26, 2016, and affect smoking indoors and out.

That means smoking is not allowed:

  • on commercial terrasses, including restaurants and bars
  • in or near playgrounds, including pools, skateparks, skating rinks, etc...
  • on or around sports fields, including areas for spectators
  • on public campgrounds
  • near outdoor areas used by daycares
  • on the grounds of preschools, elementary schools, and high schools

Smoking is also banned in enclosed locations where minors may be present, including cars and common areas of residential buildings. 

Bill 44 also clarified existing smoking bans, such that smoking is banned within nine metres of a door, air vent, or openable window.

There is no exemption for those who prefer to vape, since the law treats e-cigarettes exactly the same as other tobacco products.

Fines for smoking in public areas increased last November when the law received Crown assent.

The fine for first-time offenders is $250 to $750, while recidivists can be fined up to $1,500.

Businesses that allow people to smoke can be fined up to $100,000, while failing to post a sign banning smoking can result in a $25,000 fine.

The law also increased the fines for selling tobacco to a minor by an order of magnitude.

Selling tobacco to a minor, or to an adult who gives tobacco to a minor, comes with a first-time fine of $2,500 to $62,500, and up to $250,000 for businesses that are repeat offenders.

The employee who sells tobacco to a minor will also face fines of up to $3,000.  


Concerns for bars, restaurants

The last time the province tightened up tobacco rules was in 2006, when it made smoking in bars and restaurants illegal.

Restaurants actually reported a slight increase in business at that time, but bar business dropped 6 per cent.

Ziggy Eichenbaum, owner of Ziggy’s Pub, fears this will be another blow.

“They should have waited at least a couple of weeks until after Grand Prix and we'll try it out,” he said.

Quebec Restaurant Association spokesperson Dominique Tremblay argues the new measures won't work, because if people can't smoke on a terrasse, they'll simply smoke on the sidewalk close to the terrasse.

“So for the non-smoking environment, it's not going to happen, not in downtown anyway,” she said.