“We recognize we have a responsibility to our guests and staff to provide a safe and healthy environment for work and play and we believe implementing this new policy aligns with this goal,” said Dave Brownlie, president and CEO at Whistler-Blackcomb.

Whistler-Blackcomb’s new smoke-free policy will apply to both guests and employees but staff will be permitted to smoke in designated smoking areas for one year as they adjust to the company’s new policy. Whistler said it will provide tools and resources to assist staff with quitting smoking.

In 2008, the Resort Municipality of Whistler enacted a similar bylaw that banned smoking in buildings, retail stores, restaurants, bars, as well as public parks or within 25 yards of recreation areas, transit shelters, or school property.

Whistler will have an information booth set up in Skier’s Plaza when the policy goes into effect this Sunday and representatives from Vancouver Coastal Health will distribute resources and information about the health benefits of quitting smoking. Studies show that youth who haven’t started using tobacco by the time they are 26 years old will most likely never start, according to Dr. Paul Martiquet, a medical officer at Vancouver Coastal Health.