Smoke-free zones at all city-owned recreation properties will expand.
Nanaimo council directed staff Monday to amend a bylaw to expand the zones to include trails, plazas, parks, beaches and recreation facilities.
Over the summer, a gauge of public sentiment suggested that 75 per cent of Nanaimo residents support a smoking ban bylaw within city parks and recreational properties. Eighty-seven per cent of respondents say they visit city-owned recreational facilities at least weekly.
Already, smoking is banned anywhere on the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre property, within three metres of any activity centre buildings, or within 7.5 metres of Oliver Woods Community Centre.
The bylaw amendment is expected to go before council before the end of the year.
The move was made to address health concerns caused by smoking and second-hand smoke.