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Smoke-Free Environments

Local governments

Creating smoke-free environments is a great way to improve the health of your community. Smoke-free outdoor spaces are highly effective in helping children and youth grow up to be non-smokers. These environments also support people who are trying to quit. Communities with smoke-free bylaws have lower smoking rates, less toxic litter that can be swallowed by children or pets, and fewer wildfires.

The Legal Substances Team can provide support and consultation to communities interested in reviewing or implementing a smoke-free bylaw. Please connect with a Legal Substances Reduction Coordinator via email for more information.

The Tobacco & Vapour Enforcement Team is responsible for conducting routine retail inspections and compliance checks. Please connect with a Tobacco & Vapour Enforcement Officer via email with any questions or to report any tobacco and vapour retailer contraventions.

Public support

Public support for smoke-free outdoor areas is on the rise. This is not surprising, as more than 85 per cent of British Columbians do not use tobacco. In fact, more than 60 communities in B.C. have restrictions on smoking in public spaces that are stronger than the provincial Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act.

Large and small communities have restricted smoking in outdoor public places: Kelowna, Salmon Arm, Penticton, Nakusp and Osoyoos, among others
Residents support smoke-free bylaws and communities that have adopted them report minimal public pushback or burden on enforcement

Reduce radon gas in your home to reduce risk of lung cancer

Health Canada estimates the risk of lung cancer for people exposed to both tobacco smoke from smoking and radon gas is one in three. This is much higher than just smoking or just being exposed to radon (see table showcasing risk of lung cancer). Radon is a natural gas that gets trapped and built-up inside buildings, such as your home, to levels that are harmful to your lungs. Knowing this, you can reduce your risk of lung cancer by either stopping smoking, or by reducing the level of radon in your home, or both.

Radon is an invisible, odourless and tasteless gas that comes from soils that naturally contain uranium. Radon gas enters a building through cracks and small holes in the foundation. The only way to know the level in your home is to complete an easy, relatively cheap test for radon. Actions to lower radon levels, and your overall risk of lung cancer, are relatively easy to achieve and inexpensive.

Your risk of lung cancer will be lowered the most by stopping smoking and reducing radon levels.

Learn more about radon gas

Resources

Smoke Free Bylaws - Factsheet for Local Governments | Interior Health
Policy Resource Hub | Action on Smoking & Health
The Harmful Effects of Second-hand Smoke | HealthLink BC
Radon Action Guide for Municipalities | Health Canada

Schools

All public and private kindergarten to Grade 12 schools in B.C. are tobacco and vape-free under the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act and Regulation. This ban extends to all school property 24 hours a day, seven days a week, regardless of whether or not school is in session. The ban includes vehicles, parking lots, sports fields, driveways, courtyards and private vehicles parked on school property.

Tobacco and vaping information for schools

Interior Health properties

Interior Health is committed to promoting and protecting the health of our patients, employees and residents of the communities we serve. IH’s Smoke-Free Environment policy means that smoking and vaping are not permitted on our owned and/or operated premises, facilities, grounds and vehicles.

Here is what it means for you:

We ask visitors and outpatients to not smoke cannabis, tobacco or use e-cigarettes while on our property. This help us provide a safe and healthy environment to all people that we serve.
Patients in hospital who smoke or vape can access free nicotine replacement therapy to remain comfortable during their stay
If you are an Indigenous patient and interested in the traditional use of tobacco, please discuss it with your IH Indigenous Patient Navigator
Talk to your doctor or health-care provider if you would like assistance managing your tobacco and vaping use or quitting

Quitting tobacco or vaping

Resources

IH Smoke-Free Environment policy | Interior Health

IH Indigenous Patient Navigator | Interior Health

Tobacco & Vaping Facts and Stats | Interior Health

Quitting Tobacco or Vaping | Interior Health

BC Smoking Cessation Program | Provincial coverage for quit aids | BC Ministry of Health

QuitNow | Provincial quitting and reducing program (free) | BC Lung & Government of BC

Quitting Commercial Tobacco FAQ | FNHA

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