With city of Ottawa public health officials proposing a smoking ban in parks, beaches, market stands and restaurant patios, the organizers of a gay pride festival say they’re worried about how the ban will affect their event.
Organizers of the Capital Pride Festival are concerned that the ban would turn away festival-goers, especially since they say there is a greater proportion of smokers within the LGBTTQ community than the public at large.
The event is slated for Aug. 17 to 26, although the ban could be implemented as soon as this spring. “We just want to make sure that (the city) is taking in concerns that festivals will have,” said Loresa Novy, one of the festival’s organizers.
Novy added that the city has only said that festivals need to put up non-smoking signs, but hasn’t said whether a fine would fall on the shoulders of festival organizers or attendees.
And while she said she applauds the ban, she was hoping it would be implemented more gradually. Novy said she would like to see the city give out warning tickets during the festival, instead of only up until July 1. After that date, the city will start fining offenders $305 for a first infraction.
Novy said in the future, she would like to see the City of Ottawa do more in educating the LGBTTQ community about quitting smoking. She said although there are plenty of groups that encourage people to quit smoking, it’s more difficult for members of the LGBTTQ to attend their meetings because they may feel they face discrimination.
“They need something that’s going to be geared more for them. And I hope Ottawa Public Health will be at our pride festival with a program that people can join.”