PSOs now enforce smoking laws

In a city already noted for its strong anti-smoking attitude, city council announced last week that as of July 1 members of the local security force have been authorized to ticket anyone caught smoking in any location forbidden by last year's Tobacco Act.

“Enforcing these important anti-smoking regulations within Westmount is very important to Council,” said City Councillor John de Castell, who also serves as Commissioner for Public Safety.

“By empowering the Public Security Unit to enforce these laws, we hope to give the community the tools it needs to discourage smoking in public places, especially around schools and other public buildings in the city."

City officials have also pointed out that Westmount is the first municipality on the island to authorize its officers to enforce anti-smoking laws.

Public Security officers have received specific training on all aspects of Quebec’s Tobacco Act from the Montreal municipal court, and have been officially accredited by the ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux.

Officers are authorized to issue infractions to violators with fines ranging from $50 to $2,000, plus costs. The fines collected will go into the City of Westmount’s operating fund, while court costs will be transferred to Montreal municipal court.

The Tobacco Act, which came into effect across Quebec on May 31, 2006, put stringent limits on smoking in the province. Smoking inside restaurants and bars was made illegal, while smoking outside within a nine-metre radius from the entrance of a public building was forbidden. The ministère de la Santé et des services sociaux has between 50 and 70 inspectors to enforce the regulations across Quebec.

The Tobacco Act replaced Westmount’s Bylaw 1149 to regulate smoking, which had been in force since Jan. 1, 1995. Residents and business owners who witness a violation of the Tobacco Act are encouraged to report it to Public Security immediately at 514-989-5222.