[youtube id=”C9i8ZTHto4s” width=”620″ height=”360″]
By Jessica Paiva and Raquelle Collins
Toronto’s chief medical officer of health, Dr.David McKeown, is calling for an official ban on patio smoking and other outdoor spaces. The report calls for smoking bans at beaches, parks, sports fields, hospital property, entrances and exits to public buildings.
The restrictions will make sidewalks the only piece of public ground on which a Toronto smoker can legally smoke.
The previous smoking ban in 2009 prohibited smoking within nine metres of playgrounds, wading pools, splash pads, farms and zoos operated by the parks department.
According to the report, restrictions are implemented to protect children and youth from second hand smoke and the “importance of role modelling a smoke-free lifestyle.” Raquelle Collins has the details.