Is Stratford's smoke-free bylaw the best way forward? Your comments

Stratford is one of the next Canadian municipalities working to becomesmoke-free in all public places, though many on social media believe the P.E.I. town's bylaw goes a little too far.

The bylawpassed first reading at Wednesday night's town councilmeeting andbuilds on the already existing smoke-free policy whichhas been in place since 2007.

The ban is for all town-owned propertiesand all town events, even if they are held on a property not owned by the town.

• Smoke-free Stratford step closer
• Charlottetown Smoke Free Places bylaw moves forward

It will also now include electronic smoking devices and any other instrument intended for use to smoke tobacco or other products, including marijuana.

Frank Morrison with Smoke Free P.E.I.said the bylaw is "a great first step" in making more municipalities on P.E.I. smoke free that allies well with Charlottetown's Smoke Free Places bylaw.

'Getting out of hand'

Many of you weighed in onCBCPrince Edward Island's Facebook pagein response to Thursday's story.

(Please note that usernames are not necessarily the names of commenters. Some comments have been altered to correct spelling and to conform to CBC style.)

Cheryl Glover Chiassonsaid restrictions on smoking is "getting out of hand!"

"I am a polite and considerate smoker and agree with second-hand smoke being unhealthy. I don't smoke in our car or our house. That being said, cigarettes are legal and are sold and taxed and we have rights too."

Some are frustrated that vaping is included in Stratford's smoking bylaw.

"I'm all for the smoking ban but including electronic devices is absolutely ridiculous," said Becky Gates. "There is zero harm from second-hand vapourand it doesn't stink like cigarettes do."

'Make it for apartments too'

Dolly Carmody said the bylaw is "alittle extreme" and that people should have spots to smoke outdoors, especially where they work.

"I hope they give people a location to smoke outside their workplace. There are much greater pollutions going into our air where a person has no choice in avoidance."

The town is planning further consultations to explore the possibility of expanding the bylaw to include privately-owned outdoor spaces such as parking lots andgolf courses, as well as balconies and decks of multi-unit dwellings.

Harvey Grace Bruce encouraged the town to take the next step.

"Great, make it for the apartments too," they said. "Hate the smell when they stand outside theirdecks and smoke."

Christopher Johnston replied to Bruce, saying "all that is going to happen is the landlords are going to find out all of their smoker tenants have ruined their buildings because they can't go outside to smoke anymore."

The current bylaw will be read a second time at the Aug.8meeting of council before coming into effect.

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