Looking to establish a smoking zone within your garden space?
Outdoor smoking areas serve as an ideal setting for smokers to practice their habit without impacting other people. Proper planning enables you to establish a safe and comfortable smoking area which meets regulations and offers a pleasant experience.
Building an outdoor smoking area includes placing a chair and an ashtray but requires additional planning for safety and comfort. Creating a smoking area needs thorough planning to ensure safety standards are maintained while providing comfort and visual appeal and following all necessary regulations.
In this guide, you’ll learn every detail about building an ideal outdoor space for smoking.
Understanding Smoking Regulations in Canada
You must understand applicable regulations before establishing your outdoor smoking area.
Canada has some of the most rigorous smoking regulations globally because they serve a vital purpose. Second-hand smoke exposure continues to pose a major public health challenge according to Health Canada.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Provincial laws across most regions restrict smoking within 30 feet of building doorways, windows, and ventilation systems to shield non-smokers from second-hand smoke exposure.
- Numerous Canadian municipalities have put into effect smoking prohibitions across different outdoor public areas such as municipal parks and places where children play and sports are played.
- The Municipal Code in Toronto prohibits smoking within 9 meters of all public building entrances and exits and throughout public squares.
The good news? Private residential properties generally have more flexibility, allowing you to enjoy light native cigarettes made in Canada or other tobacco products in your personal outdoor space as long as you’re mindful of neighbors and local bylaws.
Choosing the Perfect Location for Your Smoking Area
Choosing the best location for your exterior smoking area stands as the most important choice you need to make. The ideal location should:
- Your smoking area should maintain a minimum distance of 9 meters (30 feet) from your home’s doors and windows
- Not be directly under bedroom windows
- Have some natural shelter from wind
- Be accessible but somewhat private
- Not be too close to neighbors’ properties
Take note of the most common wind direction in your location. Avoid placing your smoking area where wind could direct smoke into your home or onto neighboring properties.
Position your smoking area in a yard corner to take advantage of natural boundaries and privacy wherever space permits. A seldom-accessed side yard presents an ideal location.
Essential Elements for a Comfortable Smoking Space
After you have determined the ideal location for your garden smoking space you should concentrate on comfort features that enhance its usability throughout the year.
Seating Options
Appropriate seating selections determine the success of your smoking experience.
- Choose weather-resistant chairs made from treated wood materials or metals with rust protection and high-quality resin.
- Purchase waterproof cushions to ensure they remain comfortable through all weather conditions
- Side tables give you space to organize your smoking accessories conveniently.
Weather Protection
The varied weather conditions in Canada require that your smoking area remains protected from multiple environmental elements.
- Choose between a small pergola or gazebo and a big patio umbrella to protect your smoking area from rain.
- You can create effective wind barriers by installing privacy screens or planting dense shrubs.
- Choose patio heaters, fire pits or infrared heating lamps to stay warm during cold weather.
Lighting
Quality lighting provides functional benefits while enhancing visual appeal.
- Path lighting provides safe nighttime access to your smoking area
- Solar-powered string lights produce a pleasant atmosphere for ambient lighting.
- Task lighting means using a directed light source to brighten up specific areas.
Safety Features Every Smoking Area Should Have
When you develop an outdoor smoking space you must prioritize safety above all else. Workplace policies show that designated smoking areas should have clear markings and separate structures while maintaining proper ventilation.
Fire Prevention
- Select deep and stable ashtrays that resist tipping to prevent accidental fires.
- Designate smoking areas with non-flammable surfaces to prevent fires from cigarette placement.
- Position a compact fire extinguisher within reach for outdoor spaces surrounded by dry vegetation.
- Smoking sand urns operate as specialized containers designed to extinguish and store cigarette butts safely.
Ventilation Considerations
Even outdoors, proper air circulation is important:
- Choose a smoking area location that benefits from natural wind patterns to spread the smoke.
- Use a small outdoor fan installation to manage smoke on days when wind speeds are low.
- Avoid enclosed spaces that might trap smoke
Cigarette Butt Disposal
Environmental reports list cigarette butts as some of the most frequently encountered types of litter around. Your smoking area should include:
- Weather-proof and sealed containers designated for disposal to prevent fires
- Incorporate systematic cleaning of disposal containers into your yard upkeep schedule
- Smokers who move around your property can use portable pocket ashtrays to dispose of their cigarette waste properly.
Stylish Design Ideas for Your Outdoor Smoking Space
You can design an attractive smoking area without spending much money or dealing with complex processes. The following design approaches have proven effective:
Minimalist Approach
- Simple, clean-lined furniture
- Monochromatic color scheme
- Few, but high-quality accessories
- Focus on functionality and clean spaces
Natural Garden Integration
- Plant natural insect-repellent flora around your outdoor space
- Incorporate elements from nature by using stone and wooden structures along with bamboo features.
- Design the area to make people feel immersed within foliage.
- Use aromatic plants to enhance your smoking experience.
Modern Lounge Feel
- Comfortable, low-profile seating
- Ambient lighting with color options
- Bluetooth speakers for music
- Sleek, contemporary accessories
To achieve a successful space design you must ensure that it feels purposeful instead of accidental. Your garden smoking space should blend seamlessly with your existing landscape design.
Maintenance Tips for Your Smoking Area
Maintaining your smoking area regularly helps to keep it safe while ensuring it stays clean and welcoming to all users.
Daily Maintenance
- Empty ashtrays and disposal containers
- Wipe down surfaces
- Make sure all movable elements are fastened properly to prevent them from being blown away
Weekly Maintenance
- Deep clean ashtrays with soap and water
- Check furniture for any damage
- Clear the area of leaves or debris
- Clean any glass or hard surfaces
Seasonal Maintenance
- Protect cushions and other items vulnerable to weather damage by storing them away whenever harsh weather conditions arise.
- Check structures for weather damage
- Repaint or treat wooden elements as needed
- Replace any worn-out components
Wrapping Up Your Perfect Outdoor Smoking Space
A dedicated outdoor smoking space serves as a considerate solution that enables personal enjoyment while respecting the needs of others. Data indicates that 11.3% of Ontario residents smoked in 2015 which proves that effective outdoor smoking solutions remain important.
This article’s guidelines will help you establish a stylish and comfortable tobacco space that meets safety standards while respecting local laws and reducing effects on others.
Successful outdoor smoking spaces must include several essential components.
- Strategic location that respects regulations and neighbors
- Comfortable, weather-appropriate furnishings
- Proper safety features and disposal solutions
- Continuous upkeep of the area ensures that it remains both clean and welcoming for users.
When you consider these elements your outdoor smoking space will transform from a basic area into an enjoyable retreat.
