Smoking ban proposed for Toronto restaurant patios, sports fields

Torontos Board of Health will decide next week whether to hold public consultations on extending the citys ban on places where you can smoke.

On Monday, the board will look at recommendations to ban smoking on uncovered restaurant patios, in public building entranceways, on hospital grounds and on sports fields.

If the board approves public consultations, a final decision on extending the ban could come next year.

The suggestion for extended smoking bans comes from a Toronto Public Health report released last month that urges action to prevent residents from second-hand smoke exposure.

Things have certainly moved forward in public opinion, and we now have a public that is much more sensitive to second-hand cigarette smoke, said Coun. John Filion, who chairs the board of health.

Its time to move the yardstick forward.

Despite existing regulations, 15 per cent of adult non-smokers in Toronto were exposed to second-hand smoke every day or almost every day, according to a 2010 survey cited in the report.

Smoking is already prohibited in indoor workplaces and public spaces, as well as within nine metres of playgrounds, wading pools and city zoos and farms.

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Smoking ban proposed for Toronto restaurant patios, sports fields