Ontario to ban smoking on patios, sports fields and playgrounds

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Starting Jan. 1, 2015, it will be illegal to smoke on bar and restaurant patios, smoke on playgrounds and public sports fields, and sell tobacco on university and college campuses.

TORONTO Smokers will no longer be allowed to light up on bar or restaurant patios, playgrounds, and sports fields beginning next year.

The Ontario government says it ismaking changes to the Smoke-Free Ontario Actin order to protect children and youth from the harmful effects of smoking.

Starting Jan. 1, 2015, it will also be illegal to sell tobacco products on university and college campuses.

The Liberals also plan to reintroduce legislation that wouldextend a prohibition on sales of candy and fruit-flavoured tobaccoproducts to youth to a total sales ban.

Associate Health Minister Dipika Dameria said shes confident the new restrictions wont hurt businesses in Ontario.

When we first introduced a ban on smoking inside restaurants and bars, there was a lot of concern raised that it would throw restaurants and bars out of business, but the evidence shows that did not happen, said Dameria.

The Canadian Cancer Society applauded the move calling the courageous new tobacco control measures a way to further curb smoking behaviour among youth.

Creating smoke-free outdoor spaces and patios not only protects the public and workers from second-hand smoke but also reduces social exposure to smoking behaviour,saidCanadian Cancer Society Public Affairs Vice-President Rowena Pinto in a media release.

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Ontario to ban smoking on patios, sports fields and playgrounds