A Sign of the Times.

As many people know, I often lament the difficulty of being a smoker in Vancouver, Canada. Of the collection of municipalities that makes up the Greater Vancouver Area, all but one have completely banned smoking in places of business and public locations such as parks. I am fortunate enough to live in the municipality which does still allow for smoking; however we often travel to the neighbouring communities for attractions like beaches and hiking.

A couple of weeks ago, we took one such trip to the neighbouring municipality of Coquitlam; ostensibly to spend a day at the beach. I left unprepared, as I did not expect to be able to smoke; however much to my chagrin I discovered this awaiting me at the enterance to the beach!

You can guess where my family will spend our next day at the lake...

@Schmitz - I'll be traveling to Vancouver in Mid-September and spending a couple of days there staying downtown. Is there any place close by I can enjoy my pipe?

Click to expand...

In the city itself, I actually have never faced a problem smoking in Stanley Park / Kits / Jericho / English Bay - but if the by-law guys catch you, it's a $500 fine. As for restaurants and pubs, you are pretty much SOL; three to six meters from any doors, windows or air intakes leaves the middle of the road as the only place you can light up. For the most part, they tend to leave me alone (once they discern I'm not smoking pot); but on occasion you come across someone with something to prove.

The Vancouver Pipe Club meets at the 'Cedar Cottage' in East Vancouver; it's one of the few pubs that can still offer a smoking patio - although you have to go the self-serve route. Unfortunately, most of our arenas and concert halls have gone the complete no-smoking route - even worse, if you leave, you can't get back in.
As for the suburbs; most of the tobacconists offer a picnic table outside you can smoke at. There are also a few hookah bars which will allow you to smoke a pipe; so long as you are somewhat discreet. Port Coquitlam, as I alluded to, is the only municipality which still offers free reign to smoke outdoors - although smoking areas like the one pictured above are popping up more and more.
Finally, there is always my patio (or den, weather dependant) - if you find yourself with some free time I would love to get together for a pint and a bowl or three!