Ban on firepits is long overdue

Re: “Thumbs up to pot ban,” Editorial, April 14.

The City of Calgary has banned cigarette and marijuana smoke from many areas, and yet has not made any effort to ban firepits, which affect a greater number of people over a larger area.

Even though spring has yet to really arrive, firepit season began last weekend, putting a blanket of noxious smoke over my neighbourhood, which infiltrated houses even with the doors closed.

For people with breathing issues, there is no escape from it, as it comes in the intake vents of furnaces, which are still working at full blast because of the cold weather.

Wood smoke contains many toxic chemicals, such as benzenes, formaldehyde, dioxins and furans, and it puts non-smokers at as much risk of lung cancer as other types of smoke. If city council is serious about lowering the risk of second-hand smoke to taxpayers, this is an obvious place to start.

Catherine Laureshen, Calgary