All municipally approved and installed DSAs are indicated on the online map. The municipality continues to identify locations and is accepting requests for additional DSAs for consideration. The map will be updated regularly, as the status of installed DSAs changes over time.



Each sign/sticker indicates how far the DSA extends for that location. Signs/stickers can be permanent or temporary; for example, smoking permitted locations for an event on municipal property.

Where is smoking NOT permitted?

By default, all municipal property is considered non-smoking (including streets and sidewalks) if not designated as a smoking area via installed signs/stickers similar to the example above. Municipal parks, trails, beaches, playgrounds, wharves and boat launches are already non-smoking areas and will continue to be so after the by-law changes.



As noted above, signs/stickers are being installed to indicate where people can smoke, which is a different approach from existing signs that indicate where people CAN’T smoke.

How do I submit a request to mark a designated smoking area?

The municipality is accepting requests to mark designated smoking areas (DSAs) on municipal property. Call 311 to submit your request. Decisions regarding DSAs will be assessed on a location-by-location basis. Each potential location must be compliant with the Nova Scotia Smoke Free Places Act. Other considerations include accessibility, lighting, impact on snow clearing, safe distance from intersections/ driveways, and whether a DSA on municipal property is unnecessary due to a smoking area already present nearby on private property (the municipality only installs DSAs on municipal property). Smoking on private property will continue to be the responsibility of the property owner, although any smoking must adhere to the Province of Nova Scotia’s Smoke-free Places Act.

How will you enforce these by-laws?

Municipal by-law compliance officers and Halifax Regional Police will enforce these amended by-laws along with all other municipal by-laws.

Why treat tobacco and vaping the same as cannabis?

Recognizing by-law amendments would be needed to address the introduction of legalizing recreational cannabis, we saw this as an opportunity to address complaints we’ve heard over the years about tobacco smoke on public property as a health concern through second-hand smoke.



Additionally, when it comes to enforcement, we recognized it would be very challenging to enforce a ban on just cannabis, as it would be difficult to prove exactly what substance the person was smoking/vaping. Potentially, we would have needed to gather samples of the product and get them tested in a lab to prove the substance type. This process would be problematic which is why we adopted a blanket ban approach.

What happens if I smoke/vape in a public space?

You could face a penalty from by-law enforcement. The fine is a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $2,000 per offence, and in default of payment, a maximum of 30 days in jail.

Is it prohibited to smoke/vape in a vehicle on a municipal street?

The municipality’s focus is always to ensure a reasonable approach is taken when enforcing by-laws, in particular new ones that require a significant change in people's behaviour. As is the case with all by-laws, municipal compliance officers work under a complaint-driven process. If municipal compliance officers see a violation during the course of their duties they have the ability address it in real-time. If a complaint is not made, or a compliance officer doesn’t see the infraction, there would be no involvement by the municipality. Ultimately, these municipal by-law amendments aim to address the nuisance caused by second-hand smoke in public spaces and, through education, we would expect people to be mindful and respectful of others regarding second-hand smoke. A literal interpretation of the municipal by-law amendments, prohibiting smoking or vaping on municipal property, could mean that smoking or vaping in a vehicle on municipal streets would be a contravention of the by-law. In practical terms, enforcement of the by-law – specific to prohibiting smoking or vaping in vehicles on municipal streets – brings with it many challenges. This is one of the reasons why a reasonable approach must be applied to enforcement. It is also important to point out that the Province of Nova Scotia’s Smoke-free Places Act states there is no smoking permitted in several enclosed spaces, including: in personal vehicles when there is a person under the age of 19 present

in vehicles used as part of one’s job or work; this does not apply to a personal vehicle used for work purposes if they are the only person using the vehicle for work purposes (this applies to tobacco only – any use of cannabis in vehicles is prohibited)

How do I report smoking/vaping in a public space?