Côte-St-Luc passes anti-smoking bylaw

Côte-St-Luc's city council has passed Quebec's toughest anti-smoking by-law, outlawing cigarettes and other tobacco products from municipally-regulated outdoor spaces.

The by-law – which bans smoking within 20 metres of the city's playgrounds and athletic fields – passed unanimously at a council meeting on Monday evening.

Smoking will also be banned in public parks during special events such as Canada Day celebrations.

"I'm very happy," said Steven Erdelyi, the city councillor behind the idea. "The next step is to implement signage.  That will probably take us until the spring."

"It bothered me that when I was taking my children to the playground area there would be parents sitting around smoking," said Erdelyi. "It also bothered me when we go for special events that people would be smoking in the middle of the park."

Smokers who break the rules will face a $50 fine, while repeat offenders will have to fork out $100.