Smoke-Free Ottawa

We support the City of Ottawa's Smoke-Free Public Places and Workplaces Bylaws, which came into effect on August 1, 2001. Smoking is prohibited in all restaurants, bars, pubs, bingo halls, bowling alleys, billiard halls, common areas of residential condominiums or multiple-dwelling apartment buildings, taxis, limousines, and traditional workplaces. Ottawa's health care community, the hospitality industry, the general public, and Ottawa City Council united to create a smoke-free city.

Report Violations - Call 613-580-2400 any time to report any violation of the smoke-free bylaws. The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also contact the Mayor or your City Councillor.

Here are some key documents from the Smoke-Free Ottawa Campaign:

• Ottawa-Carleton Council on Smoking and Health's submission to Ottawa City Council in support of a 100% Smoke-Free Bylaw: Your Way is Clear to Clear the Air."

• Smoke-Free Ottawa Postcard

• A Study by the City of Ottawa Public Health and Long Term Care Branch ( January 1, 2001): Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Smoking By-laws in the new City of Ottawa - An Overview of Survey Results from 1996/97, 1999 and 2000.

• Media Release (June 27, 2001): Ottawa By-Law Challengers Blowing Smoke. A legal opinion that shows that the City of Ottawa 100% Non-Smoking By-Laws will clearly withstand a court challenge.

• The Ottawa Citizen (November 22, 2001): Petition Kills Smokers' Hopes for Ban Review - Majority of councillors choose not to revisit controversial bylaw.

• The Advocacy Campaign for Smoke-Free Ottawa (September 2002): A report by the Ottawa Council on Smoking and Health, detailing the successful campaign for a bylaw banning smoking in all public places and workplaces.

• News Release (April 24, 2003): 181 new/expanded bars and restaurants since Smoke-free Bylaws: City Report