Grande Prairie bans smoking at playgrounds, fields

Grande Prairie has become the second city in Alberta to make playgrounds and athletic fields smoke-free.

City councillors passed a bylaw Tuesday banning smoking within 10 meters of any public playground equipment or athletic field, which takes effect immediately.

Edmonton became the first Alberta community to prohibit smoking at playgrounds and sports fields in April.

"The primary benefit of the new Grande Prairie bylaw is to model healthy smoke-free behaviour to youth," said Therese Chauvin, Community Engagement Coordinator with the Canadian Cancer Society in Grande Prairie, in a news release. 

"The secondary benefit is to provide kids with further protection from second-hand smoke, particularly in crowded or confined outdoor areas."

The penalty is $250.

Hinton, Red Deer and Medicine Hat are also contemplating similar restrictions, said Les Hagen, executive director of Action on Smoking and Health.