In anticipation of the upcoming legalization of recreational&nbsp;cannabis on Oct. 17, municipalities in the Montreal area are finding ways to prevent people from lighting up in public by updating their bylaws.

In Westmount, a new bylaw that came into effect Saturday bans smoking tobacco, herbs and electronic cigarettes in public parks and green spaces.

Westmount's old bylaw banned smoking within nine metres of playgrounds or sports fields in the city — but it was difficult to enforce the rules.

"It will be easier to enforce this, because it's in the entirety of the park now," said Westmount Mayor Christina Smith.

Westmount Mayor Christina Smith said this is the best way the city's government could address the issue with its residents.

Christina Smith Westmount Mayor

She said this is the best way the city's government could address the issue with its residents.

"There was some concern there would be a lot of marijuana smoking in parks, and obviously that won't happen with this bylaw in place," Smith said.

Anyone caught smoking in parks and green spaces could face fines of up to $1,000 for a first offence.

For now, Smith says there are no plans to follow cities like Hampstead and ban smoking in public altogether.

Far-reaching smoking ban leaves some Hampstead residents fuming

The Montreal suburb of Hampstead's decision to ban smoking in all public spaces has prompted a mixed reaction from residents, with some wondering if the bylaw is necessary at all.

A man smokes in front of City Hall Wednesday, March 7, 2018 in Hampstead, Que. Describing second-hand tobacco smoke as a danger, especially to minors, the elderly and those with lung diseases, the town of Hampstead has tabled a bylaw that will ban smoking on city property -- including streets and sidewalks. 

QUE Town Smoking 20180307

The town of Hampstead passed a bylaw that will ban smoking on city property, including streets and sidewalks. Fines can go up to $1,500 for repeat offenders.

In the Town of Mount Royal (TMR), the town council will vote next week on a bylaw amendment to ban any cannabis store from setting up shop locally.

A bylaw amendment in the Town of Mount Royal would prevent people from possessing or consuming cannabis anywhere in public in TMR, in the same way smoking and vaping is banned, even after federal legalization of the substance.

Town of Mount Royal 

Another bylaw amendment would prevent people from possessing or consuming cannabis anywhere in public in TMR, in the same way smoking and vaping is banned — even&nbsp;after federal legalization of the substance.

Quebec police officers could soon test drivers' saliva for cannabis

Quebec's Public Security Ministry says it will offer financial support for police in Quebec who want to purchase a device that tests drivers' saliva for THC, the active ingredient in cannabis. But the test is not without critics.

In this Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016 photo, Fullerton police officer Jae Song, left, conducts a field sobriety test on driver suspected of driving while impaired by marijuana in Fullerton, Calif. One of the symptoms is measured by watching the subject's eyes while he follows the movement of the pen. Officer Lenny Ledbetter assisted in the stop.

Marijuana Sobriety Test California

The Drager DrugTest 5000 tests drivers' saliva for THC, the active ingredient in cannabis, which becomes legal for recreational use on Oct. 17.

If passed during the Sept. 17 vote, the bylaw will come into effect on Sept. 19, well before cannabis becomes legal.

With files from CBC's Valeria Cori-Manocchio and Sean Henry

The new Westmount bylaw means fines of up to $1,000 for the first offence.

Westmount, TMR explore bylaw changes to prevent cannabis use in public

Town of Mount Royal joins in

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