Quispamsis Smoking Bylaw Remains On Hold

A Quispamsis councillor wants to see the town’s smoking bylaw implemented after a year-long delay caused by the pandemic.

The bylaw would ban smoking in all public places within the town, including on streets and sidewalks.

Council members passed the first and second reading of the proposed bylaw back in March 2020.

But two weeks later, they agreed to delay the third and final reading so town staff could focus on the response to COVID-19.

“It’s just frustrating to me,” Coun. Sean Luck said about the delay during Tuesday’s regular council meeting.

Luck said conversations about becoming a smoke-free town started in 2018 with the bylaw design taking place in 2019.

Just before implementing the bylaw in 2020, the town set aside $15,000 for nicotine replacement for staff, along with training and signage, he said.

“We were ready and COVID hit, I get it, but it’s been a year. We are living through COVID, it hasn’t gone away,” said Luck.

“The first statement that was made was our priority is the health and safety of our staff. Well, I’ve got news for you. There’s nothing more important to the health and safety of our staff than quitting smoking. Smoking kills.”

Luck said it was important that the town took the steps to bring forward this bylaw and now they have to make it a priority.

Joanie McGraw, the town’s manager of human resources, said staff continue to remain focused on pandemic response.

“The management team has to make sure that we ensure compliance of all the protocols so we believe, at this point, it should continue to be our priority to navigate this pandemic,” McGraw told council.

Dana Purton Dickson, director of community services, said part of the process is to educate staff and community members about the bylaw, but that had to be put on hold when COVID-19 hit.

“When the opportunity presents itself with COVID, hopefully becoming closer to the green phase, then we will look to implement those education awareness programs when we have an opportunity to gather again,” said Purton Dickson.

Council passed a motion to refer the proposed bylaw to the incoming council as part of the town’s strategic planning process.