There isn’t much of a point in having laws that are consistently broken and go unenforced; if an officer expected to
enforce the law ignores some legislation, the public can be expected to as well.

What’s even more pointless is making something illegal knowing it likely won’t be treated as such. It’s the reason legalization of recreational cannabis was a logical next step in a nation that had already unofficially decriminalized it, and why bylaws that ban smoking cigarettes just about anywhere other than at home are illogical.

On Monday, Osoyoos town council took the first step towards looking into banning smoking cigarettes, along with cannabis, in public parking lots and on all sidewalks. All smoking of any kind is already banned on public trails and in parks.

This will leave smokers with little options when stepping outside for a puff; smoking is already prohibited within six metres of any doorways, open windows or air intakes, leaving most of Osoyoos’ Main Street already a non-smoking area.

If cutting down on the number of smokers in town is the goal, a rarely-enforced bylaw will have little to no impact.

It’s unlikely that the Town’s sole bylaw officer will be handing out tickets to all smokers on Main Street, partly because they’re simply aren’t many, at least not ones obnoxiously blowing smoke in the faces of everyone walking by and in need of ticketing.

In fact, most smokers are conscientious, go out of their way to not disrupt others by not smoking in front of doorways or crowds.

Banning smoking on parking lots and sidewalks also presents more gray areas; are you allowed to smoke if you’re technically not on the sidewalk? If not, does that mean people can’t smoke in their cars, considering cigarette smoke from an open-windowed vehicle hangs around too?

If cutting down on smoking tobacco is something town council sees as valuable, simply telling people where they can’t stand while smoking might not be the best way to do so.

Instead, increased education, and support and resources for people wanting to quit could be more effective.