PGAQ #61 by Vic Steblin, Dec 11, 2008

2570 Laurier Crescent, Prince George, BC, 250-564-1123

Governments have put severe restrictions on smoking in public places to improve health. What about the health effects of burning wood and pellets? Many cities and communities have enacted bans or are considering them. The evidence seems overwhelming that smoke is dangerous at any level and non-burners have a right to clean air. Prince George must ban wood burning to help clean the air.

Very few neighbours complain about burning when decent winds waft the smoke away. Very few neighbours complain about burning during cold calm times because good neighbours want to keep the peace. Very few neighbours complain at any time about what others do on private property. It may even seem as if citizens are not allowed to be offended by someone else’s smoke. The legal issues with private property prevent neighbours from doing much. Therefore city leaders must act.

In my opinion our city leaders should ban wood burning in city limits. Pellet stoves should also be banned. A ban would take the pressure off concerned citizens who do not want to make trouble. A ban would put pressure on the polluters who need to stop damaging health. A ban also encourages better care of the environment. Biomass should slowly rot into soil instead of quickly polluting the air. Citizens should warm themselves with a few minutes of activity or extra layers of clothes instead of hours of smoking silliness.