If you want to enjoy a drink on Montreal’s terrasses without breathing second-hand smoke, you’re now able to do it with no ifs, ands or cigarette butts.
On Thursday, new measures went into effect that ban smoking on the city’s bar patios as well as near schools and playgrounds and in cars if a child under the age of 16 is a passenger.
Fines for infractions can range from $250 to $750.
While the percentage of Quebecers who smoke fell after the practice was banned in bars in 2006, approximately 20,000 young people in the province start smoking every year.
“Since we banned smoking indoors in 2006, the terrasses of the bars and restaurants have essentially become smoking shelters in the summer,” said Quebec Coalition for Tobacco Control spokesperson Flory Doucas. “We are claiming this place back and it’s just great news.”
Doucas said the QCTC is hoping for even further measures, including an end to fancy packaging on cigarettes and higher taxes on cartons.
Not everyone is thrilled with the ban. Some smokers have pointed out the government takes in billions of tax dollars from cigarette sales, yet keeps implementing stricter policies.
“I think it’s a bad idea for sure,” said one smoker. “When people like to drink, they like to smoke, especially on the patio. It’s freedom.”
When the ban was first announced, bar owners petitioned against it, saying having no smoking allowed on their terrasses will hurt business. Public Health Minister Lucie Charlebois dismissed those concerns, saying on a nice day, terrasses are already full.
