1722 replies to this topic

[Nparker]

Yep, 2 million daily/weekly pot smokers. But a much larger number for casual users...

Casual users should be treated like tobacco smokers. 

[shoeflack]

Casual users should be treated like tobacco smokers. 

 

I agree absolutely. But I'd rather have people have the option to smoke in a lounge than on the sidewalk as I have to walk by. It's not enjoyable with tobacco and it's not enjoyable with cannabis.

 

I get we all dislike Ben Isitt, but come on, it's not a bad idea to allow a business to operate that gives a place for smokers to go indoors away from those of us who don't want cannabis smoke in our faces as we try to enjoy the outdoors.

[rmpeers]

Thing is, you can't portray pot smokers as poor victims unable to freely indulge their addiction whilst at the same time marginalizing tobacco smokers.

But again, it's just Isitt playing to his base, so no need for logic. And saying things that a kindergartener could debunk has never stopped him getting elected in the past, I guess, so why start making rational arguments now?

[Nparker]

I agree absolutely. But I'd rather have people have the option to smoke in a lounge than on the sidewalk as I have to walk by. It's not enjoyable with tobacco and it's not enjoyable with cannabis...

Then tobacco smokers also need lounges. 

[shoeflack]

Then tobacco smokers also need lounges. 

 

Cigar lounges and the like were great things in their time. Workers rights obviously play a role here, but if there is a way to accommodate these types of lounges while protecting workers rights then it should be explored.

 

It is possible for people we don't like in politics to every once in a while have decent ideas.

[RFS]

Cigar lounges and the like were great things in their time. Workers rights obviously play a role here, but if there is a way to accommodate these types of lounges while protecting workers rights then it should be explored.

 

It is possible for people we don't like in politics to every once in a while have decent ideas.

 

Still exist in many cities

[Awaiting Juno]

Issit vastly overstates the impact of people smoking pot in Canada, and Issit continues by vastly overstating the accommodations he feels the COV owes those folks who do smoke pot.

 

• There are approximately 2 million pot smokers in Canada according to the Feds.
• There are 37 million residents of Canada.
• That's approximately 5% of the total population the Feds say smoke pot.

 

WTF do I care if 5% of the population have to put on a jacket and go for a walk to smoke a joint?

I don't care ... and neither should anybody else, least of all an elected civic official worried about condo and apartment dwellers being somehow hard done by in their efforts to go smoke a joint.

 

Exactly why do pot smokers deserve accommodation that tabacoo smokers do not?  And why as a non-smoker (of either tabacco or cannabis) should I be forced to consume it second hand? 

[Nparker]

...It is possible for people we don't like in politics to every once in a while have decent ideas.

And the day Ben Isitt finally comes up with a decent idea I will commend him for it. That day hasn't happened yet,

[shoeflack]

Well, I think it's a pretty decent idea to explore to opportunity to allow smokers (both cannabis and tobacco) to consumer in a lounge-type setting. Allows new business to take over otherwise dormant space, and helps to reduce smoking in public (which keeps us non-smokers much happier). Heck, if you provide an indoor space for smokers to go, you could in theory be even more restrictive of smoking outdoors which would be great.

[jonny]

Well, I think it's a pretty decent idea to explore to opportunity to allow smokers (both cannabis and tobacco) to consumer in a lounge-type setting. Allows new business to take over otherwise dormant space, and helps to reduce smoking in public (which keeps us non-smokers much happier). Heck, if you provide an indoor space for smokers to go, you could in theory be even more restrictive of smoking outdoors which would be great.

 

Unless these lounges encourage more people to smoke, in general. 

[Cassidy]

Well, I think it's a pretty decent idea to explore to opportunity to allow smokers (both cannabis and tobacco) to consumer in a lounge-type setting.

Worksafe doesn't allow for any employees in British Columbia to be exposed to second hand smoke as a required by-product of simply doing their job.

You can't hire somebody with the proviso that they have to be "OK" with the employer breaking the law - or the employer otherwise assaulting their health.

 

Isitt is, as usual ... completely uninformed.

 

For your reading enjoyment re: what you can and can't do with your employees as it relates to forcing them to breathe second hand smoke (any second hand smoke) as "part of their job":

https://www.worksafe...482-483?lang=en

[Greg]

[deleted, Cassidy types faster...]

Edited by Greg, 07 September 2018 - 01:03 PM.

[shoeflack]

Worksafe doesn't allow for any employees in British Columbia to be exposed to second hand smoke as a required by-product of simply doing their job.

You can't hire somebody with the proviso that they have to be "OK" with the employer breaking the law - or the employer otherwise assaulting their health.

 

Isitt is, as usual ... completely uninformed.

 

For your reading enjoyment re: what you can and can't do with your employees as it relates to forcing them to breathe second hand smoke (any second hand smoke) as "part of their job":

https://www.worksafe...482-483?lang=en

 

From your link..."Designated smoking areas include safe, outdoor locations and separately ventilated indoor smoking rooms that workers must not enter except in an emergency, where there is a requirement to investigate for illegal activity, or until the smoke has been effectively removed."

 

Further, from the Province of BC..."Tobacco and vapour products can be used on an outdoor hospitality patio (e.g., patio of a bar, casino, café) that is within a buffer zone if there are no open windows, doors or active air intakes between the patio and the hospitality venue. For example, patrons can use vapour products on a casino’s patio as long as the doors are closed except for exiting/entering, the windows to the casino are closed and the air intake is not operating."

 

There is a reason why smoking is permitted on restaurant patios in many parts of BC. A smoking lounge does not need to be a single indoor room. It could very well be a lobby space that is staffed, with a seperate ventilated indoor space or patio for customers. The CRD currently bans patio smoking (not sure about indoor space though), so that's where the change would need to happen.

[Love the rock]

Besides how do you guarantee your staff isn’t impaired and drives home after a shift.
Question ,is there still exposer if an establishment used vaporizers only ?
How much escapes a volcano or are they practical to use in a business model.

Edited by Love the rock, 07 September 2018 - 01:51 PM.

[Greg]

From your link..."Designated smoking areas include safe, outdoor locations and separately ventilated indoor smoking rooms that workers must not enter except in an emergency, where there is a requirement to investigate for illegal activity, or until the smoke has been effectively removed."

 

Further, from the Province of BC..."Tobacco and vapour products can be used on an outdoor hospitality patio (e.g., patio of a bar, casino, café) that is within a buffer zone if there are no open windows, doors or active air intakes between the patio and the hospitality venue. For example, patrons can use vapour products on a casino’s patio as long as the doors are closed except for exiting/entering, the windows to the casino are closed and the air intake is not operating."

 

There is a reason why smoking is permitted on restaurant patios in many parts of BC. A smoking lounge does not need to be a single indoor room. It could very well be a lobby space that is staffed, with a seperate ventilated indoor space or patio for customers. The CRD currently bans patio smoking (not sure about indoor space though), so that's where the change would need to happen.

 

That's not going to happen. Just my personal anecdotal belief, but I suspect that a Venn diagram showing strong supporters of Ben Islitt in one circle and people who would become apoplectic if smoking were allowed again on patios in Victoria would pretty much involve the Islitt circle being entirely inside the anti-tobacco circle.

[shoeflack]

That's not going to happen. Just my personal anecdotal belief, but I suspect that a Venn diagram showing strong supporters of Ben Islitt in one circle and people who would become apoplectic if smoking were allowed again on patios in Victoria would pretty much involve the Islitt circle being entirely inside the anti-tobacco circle.

 

Great point, and this could very well be the case. Isitt might very well be underestimating that if he proceeds with this campaign for cannabis lounges, that it'll open the door right up for tobacco lounges. You can't really allow one without the other, especially considering medical marijuana users are generally exempt from most bylaws, so those folks wouldn't necessarily be impacted by a strata ban.

[Nparker]

...There is a reason why smoking is permitted on restaurant patios in many parts of BC...The CRD currently bans patio smoking (not sure about indoor space though), so that's where the change would need to happen.

Presumably, the CRD bylaws supersede the basic provincial regulations, since they are more, not less, restrictive. I can see no reason to ease up on local regulations to accommodate a tiny handful of pot smokers.

[shoeflack]

Presumably, the CRD bylaws supersede the basic provincial regulations, since they are more, not less, restrictive. I can see no reason to ease up on local regulations to accommodate a tiny handful of pot smokers.

 

Yep, CRD Bylaw outweighs the provincial regulations. Those are just the base level.

 

For the record, I'm not necessarily in favor of one way or the other, though I do like the idea of getting more smokers out of the public and into a contained setting. I just find it interesting that, to Greg's point above, Ben Isitt is potentially opening up this massive debate around smoking. Because you'd have to be a real hypocrite to advocate for a cannabis smoking space while denying a tobacco smoking space.

[Nparker]

...Ben Isitt is potentially opening up this massive debate around smoking. Because you'd have to be a real hypocrite to advocate for a cannabis smoking space while denying a tobacco smoking space.

SJWs don't understand the meaning of hypocrisy.

[Cassidy]

......... workers must not enter except in an emergency, where there is a requirement to investigate for illegal activity, or until the smoke has been effectively removed."

 

Oh I know the rules ... I'm not sure there's much of a business model for a smokers lounge whereby an employers employees can't enter or access the primary work area serving the purpose of the business.

 

Regardless, I can guarantee you that the CRD and/or the Province are most definitely not going to walk back any of the existing smoking legislation or by-laws ... not a chance.

Politically it would be suicide ... it's simply not possible in 2018.

 

Everybody alive today who can read or watch TV has been made aware of the medical costs to taxpayers in order to treat smokers (of tobacco or pot) suffering from any one of a dozen resultant ailments.