Public wants smoking banned at parks, patios: survey

CTV Winnipeg Published Friday, May 30, 2014 6:13AM CST Last Updated Friday, May 30, 2014 6:51PM CST

Ahead of World No Tobacco Day, a new survey shows most Manitobans support a ban on smoking in public places.

The survey, conducted by Prairie Research Associates for the Manitoba Tobacco Reduction Alliance (MANTRA), found that about that 67 per cent of Manitobans want smokers to butt out on patios at restarants and bars. That number is up from 58 per cent in 2008.

It also showed a majority of Manitobans support extending a ban to beaches, public parks, green spaces and outdoor events.

Province orders Manitobans to butt-out on beaches

Parents at Assiniboine Park told CTV News on Friday it's time to bring in the ban at our parks, saying there is no place for smoking around children. One mother who smokes agreed that the smoking ban should be extended.

The province announced earlier this month that it will ban smoking on all beaches in provincial parks, starting this summer. That's set to take effect June 21.

According to MANTRA, eight in 10 Manitobans feel that current smoking restrictions make their community a better place to live.

World No Tobacco Day takes place every year on May 31. The World Health Organization is calling for countries across the globe to raise taxes on cigarettes.

- with a report from Beth Macdonell

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Public wants smoking banned at parks, patios: survey