The Smoke-Free Places Act implemented on January 1, 2006, sets the minimum standard for all of Alberta. All municipalities are required by this provincial law to prohibit smoking in all public places and workplaces where minors are permitted.
Municipalities have the ability to implement municipal bylaws that are more restrictive than the provincial legislation. These bylaws are defined as gold standard bylaws or 100 per cent smoke-free bylaws. These bylaws prohibit smoking in all public places and workplaces.
Municipal smoke-free bylaws that restrict smoking in all areas, take priority over the provincial act. If bylaws provide less protection from second-hand smoke than the new Smoke-Free Places Act, the act will prevail as the local policy. It is the responsibility of individual businesses and organizations to find out what the current/pending smoking bylaws are in their municipality.
There are 18 Alberta communities that have passed or implemented 100 per cent smoke-free bylaws: Beaumont, Cardston, Edmonton, Strathcona County, St. Albert, Stettler, Banff, Airdrie, Sundance Beach, Jasper, Devon, Red Deer, Calgary, Cochrane, Canmore, Whitecourt, Lethbridge and Lloydminster.
