If you thought smoking and vaping on Metro Vancouver's TransLink system was banned, that's essentially true, but the organization's board will vote later this month to make it official.
TransLink administration is recommending a simple "No smoking or vaping" rule be added to the books, going into effect Oct. 30, 2021. There isn't such a rule at this time; instead they've relied on the power of signs.
"TransLink does not currently have its own rule against smoking but rather relies on posted “no smoking” signage, and the requirement in section 6 of the Greater Vancouver Transit Conduct and Safety Regulation that a person comply with posted signs," states administration in a report to the board.
That report asks the board to vote on the simple rule addition to the TransLink Rules and Regulations. This would allow transit police to enforce the rule; under the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act they're not designated as enforcement officers (though they can enforce rules under the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act.
"Creating a TransLink rule is a measure we can use to enhance our ability to satisfy our legal obligations to ensure that our public and workspaces comply with the legislated requirements for creating a tobacco and vapour free environment," states the report's executive summary.
The rule would be enforced on the public transit system and TransLink properties.
If the board votes to approve the new rule at their Sept. 23 board meeting, it would become the twelfth rule in TransLink's Rules and Regulations, joining such hits as "No loitering" and "No use of audio devices unless sound is audible only to the user."
