Quinte West is poised to address an upcoming report on e-cigarette use and before that happens a local business owner wants to ensure they make an “informed decision” prior to imposing any bylaws.
Monday night, Rowan Warr-Hunter, the owner of Trenton’s Stinky Canuck said his delegation came in a direct response to a recent presentation by a representative from the local Canadian Cancer Society on the potential effects caused by e-cigarettes and hookahs. Two weeks ago, Karen White asked council to ban their use on city owned property.
Warr-Hunter said no smoke or second hand smoke is produced by vaping. He said there have been thousands of success stories with people who have weaned themselves off cigarettes by using e-cigarettes. Warr-Hunter who also sits on the board of Directors for Electronic Cigarette Trade Association of Canada pointed to studies showing the amount of nicotine exhaled being minimal. Warr-Hunter explained how he had tried “everything” and this was the only thing that worked for him.
Councillor Sally Freeman said she thought it was wonderful how so many were quitting by turning to vaping however she felt it shouldn’t be done in crowds or in front of kids. Councillor Rob MacIntosh echoed the same sentiments on how he has heard from many people on e-cigarettes and the positives associated with quitting.
Maria Papaioannoy, a member of Vapour Advocates of Ontario, and who owns a shop in Toronto agreed there should be restrictions but wanted everyone to be aware that if they can get people to quit smoking with “something that is 95% healthier then they are making a difference”.
She said she isn’t completely against the City’s current bylaw that prohibits smoking nine metres from municipal property however she did suggest the municipality avoid developing what she called a “blanket policy.”
A full staff report is due back in council in January and Mayor Jim Harrison said he’s not sure what will happen.
Harrison explained it would be up to the provincial government to hire bylaw enforcement officers, adding the city would not be partaking in that.
