Toronto City Councillor Joe Mihevc spoke to the media in Toronto Nov. 30, 2012 at City Hall about the news of the change in the ruling against Mayor Rob Ford, allowing him to run in a by-election. in Toronto Nov. 30, 2012.Deborah Baic/The Globe and Mail
Toronto's Board of Health is being asked to lend its support to new restrictions on smoking including a ban outside all public buildings, at beaches, sports fields and public squares.
A report released Monday by the Medical Officer of Health recommends making more outdoor spaces in Toronto smoke-free, including a change in municipal regulations to ban lighting up within nine metres of all public building entrances.
Other recommendations, such as a ban on smoking at swimming beaches and sports fields will be addressed next month by the city's parks committee. A possible ban on lighting up in the city's eight public squares, including Nathan Phillips Square, Yonge-Dundas Square and Mel Lastman Square, will be considered in a report to the Board of Health next year.
The report also asks the board to endorse future efforts to prohibit smoking in bar and restaurant patios and hospital grounds, measures that would require changes in provincial legislation.
"This is absolutely the right thing to do," said Councillor Joe Mihevc, who is chair of the Board of Health.
"I think Torontonians want this. I think we are ready for this," he said, noting that several other jurisdictions already have implemented similar bans. "We are not leading the pack here. We are basically playing catch up."
Councillor Gord Perks, a member of the Board of Health and a former smoker, said restricting smoking around doorways to public buildings makes perfect sense. "People have a right to a smoke-free workplace," he said.
Mr. Perks said he will wait to see staff recommendations next month before deciding on whether a ban is appropriate for sports fields and beaches.
The report will be considered by the board at its meeting next week. If approved, council support is required before the ban on smoking outside public buildings could be enacted.