Saskatchewan

Smoking on private golf courses still OK after new Regina bylaw takes effect

If you're looking to tee off and light up, there will be a place for that after Regina's new smoking bylaw takes effect July 15.

Smoking will be allowed on the course of private clubs but patios will be subject to the ban

Golfers will be able to smoke on the courses of private clubs but not the patios. (Chris O'Meara/The Associated Press)

Patrons of private golf courses will still be able to light up when they tee off after Regina's new smoking bylaw takes effect, a city spokesperson said.

The new bylaw, which comes into effect July 15, bans smoking on all city-owned spaces and on the patios of restaurants and bars within the city. 

The ban extends to publicly owned golf courses in the city but not private courses, like the Wascana Golf and Country Club, for example. 

​The ban includes private clubs and patios, such as the Q Nightclub and Lounge, but once smokers are on a private golfing green they'll be allowed to puff.

The bylaw, which was passed unanimously, still needs clarification before it comes into effect, according to Coun. Jerry Flegel, noting the 10-metre buffer zone between doors and smokers as one point needing to be cleared up.

"If you're 30 [feet] away from the door, in a parking lot — supposedly it's OK, but you're still on city property," Flegel said. 

"You can be 100 feet away from a door, standing by your car, you're still on city property. Can you smoke?"

The new smoking bylaw was passed by Regina city council Monday night.