Hamilton sets up more smoke-free zones

You may be able to breathe a bit easier in Hamilton thanks to a new by-law that will make parks and recreation areas smoke free at the end of next month.

The by-law comes into effect May 31st. it will prohibit smoking in parks and playgrounds, sports fields, outdoor pools, leash-free dog parks, beaches, and various other city-owned recreation areas owned by the city.

An education campaign was launched last fall to inform residents and visitors of the by-law. Info is also being distributed to festival and event organizers to make sure everyone knows the new rules.

Hamilton’s not the first city to implement this sort of sweeping by-law. Municipalities across the province regulate smoking outdoors to different degrees. As of April 2nd, Ottawa also put a by-law in place banning smoking on municipal properties like parks, playgrounds, beaches and sports fields, along with outdoor patios.

Video: Lauren Pelley reports: