Smokers in Saskatoon will have to stand much farther away from any entrance for lighting up, if changes to smoking bylaws are approved later this month. During Wednesday’s planning, development and community services committee, city councillors unanimously approved a number of changes to the city’s smoking restrictions bylaw. The most notable change is the buffer zone outside any doorway, window or air intake would be expanded from three metres to 10 metres — nearly 33 feet or the length of three cars. “I know it has been detailed and complicated, and I think the refresh is good,” Mayor Cynthia Block, who introduced the concept of additional smoking restrictions last September, said during Wednesday’s meeting. While smoking is provincially legislated, municipalities typically have bylaws that align or exceed those minimum requirements. A report from administration outlining the changes said the Downtown Business Improvement District, the Broadway Business Improvement District and the Riversdale Business Improvement District were all informed of the added restrictions. Only the Riversdale BID opposed the 10-metre rule, preferring the current three metres instead. The report notes a 10-metre buffer would make most of Broadway and the Riversdale BID a no-smoking area. Administration said the provincial rule is three metres, but the change aligns Saskatoon with Regina and Edmonton, who also have a 10-metre clearance area. Some municipalities, like Banff, have smoking restrictions in a majority of public spaces. Saskatoon Police are responsible for any enforcement of the smoking bylaw. Police receive between one to three complaints every year. Any of the 15 to 25 tickets issued annually are usually around high schools. If approved at city council’s regular business meeting at the end of the month, the changes will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.
