Proposed legislation may designate smoke-free play spaces in Victoria, B.C.

Dr. Richard Stanwick is leading the charge for laws that would keep smokers well away from outdoor recreational spaces.

“Emerging evidence of [the] distance that second-hand smoke can travel and be harmful to individuals… has gained further attention in the medical literature,” said Dr. Stanwick, Chief Medical Health Officer, Island Health. “It’s why, for example, people now have the buffer zones of 6 or 7 metres around entrances and windows, because even at that distance, you still can experience harm from second hand smoke.”

In fact, the latest Surgeon General’s report states that there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke, said Dr. Stanwick, who is also past president of the CPS.

To make a case for this legislation, Dr. Stanwick and his team completed field studies measuring levels of second-hand smoke in public spaces across Vancouver Island. In doing so, they were able to replicate results of research studies warning about the dangers of second-hand smoke.

“[It’s] not that people don’t trust the medical literature, but the problem becomes more real when we’re able to demonstrate that results occurring in the scientific literature are [also] occurring locally,” he said.

Based upon their own local data in concert with published literature, they are advocating for extending the current buffer or safety zone for protection against second hand from three to seven metres around doorways and windows that open. Moreover, parks, playgrounds and playing fields should become entirely smoke free.

Dr. Stanwick and his team have also worked closely with local youth—the population most affected by the proposed legislation. It’s a formula that works well for any advocacy project, he said.

“To hear from a youth… [is] probably more powerful than all of the science put together,” said Dr. Stanwick.

Dr. Stanwick recommends that paediatricians who want to change public policy should demonstrate how the issue affects the community and work with those groups specifically affected to make their case.

That way, paediatricians may effectively encourage government officials to re-examine their approach to certain child and youth health issues, and adapt policy as needed.

“When elected officials…take action, what they’re doing is actually protecting the health of your friends, your neighbours, your families,” said Dr. Stanwick.  “By casting simply one good piece of public policy, when they take action, the health gains are likely more than any single physician is ever going to be able to realize in their career.”

He points to the CPS Status Report, Are We Doing Enough?, as one of the best advocacy tools that members can use to demonstrate the need for legislative change.

This biennial report grades provincial/territorial and federal governments on how effectively their legislation protects children and youth.  The report is effective, he said, because it encourages policy-makers to examine their progress on child and youth health issues, and includes recommendations on how to make policy changes where necessary.

“It’s a very powerful starting point for getting the discussion going…the best way to describe Are We Doing Enough is the proverbial foot in the door,” said Dr. Stanwick.

This proposed legislation is currently being drawn up for consideration by the regional board. It will likely come into force in 2014 after a period of education and posting of signs.

For more information on how you can be an advocate in your own community, visit the CPS Advocacy Centre.

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