Eleven people were ticketed for smoking at Musicfest Wednesday, the first to be charged laid under the city's bylaw prohibiting smoking tobacco or cannabis, as well as vaping, in municipally owned parks.

Charges were laid by Peterborough Public Health's tobacco enforcement officers. The fine is $305. City bylaw officers and police officers can also enforce the bylaw, Peterborough Public Health notes.

The tobacco enforcement officers watched for violations at Wednesday night's free concert at Del Crary Park, issuing one charge for cannabis use, one for vaping and nine for cigarette smoking.

"In 2019, 85% of the population do not smoke, and support for smoke and vape-free outdoor spaces is universal," states Carolyn Doris, Peterborough Public Health's manager of family and community health programs, in a release. "Many people believe that smoking outdoors is harmless, when in fact there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke," she added. "Actively enforcing these laws will both protect people from toxic second-hand smoke and support a reduction in smoking rates."

The press release states that the city spent the first six weeks of the summer educating violators about the bylaw rather than laying charges.

The bylaw covers more than 100 city parks, playgrounds, beaches, splash pads and sports fields.

Smoking, vaping or using cannabis within park boundaries can be reported at 705-743-1000 or online at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/sfoa.